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I consulted Buhari before leaving APC and he gave his blessings – El-Rufai

Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has revealed that he consulted former President Muhammadu Buhari before resigning his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

On Monday, el-Rufai announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), calling on his supporters and other concerned Nigerians to join him in the party.

Speaking in an interview on BBC Hausa on Thursday, el-Rufai said he does not make major political decisions without first seeking Buhari’s counsel. He added that the former president prayed for him and gave his blessings after he informed him about his defection plan.

“There are certain people that before I do any major thing or make any decision I consult, and anything they ask me not to do, I don’t do, and former President Muhammadu Buhari is among them,” el-Rufai said in Hausa.

“I consulted Buhari before leaving the APC. It was on a Friday when I went and met him. I hardly make any major decision without consulting him. I told him to pray for me and give me his blessings, which he did.”

He also recalled how, during his tenure as governor, he sought Buhari’s approval before appointing commissioners.

“Even when I was governor of Kaduna, before I appointed my commissioners, I took the list to Buhari for cross-checking to see if from among them someone ever insulted him. He laughed, thanked me, and told me, ‘You can go ahead and appoint your commissioners.’”

Asked if he has a father figure in politics, el-Rufai said he does not, but he has a group of people he seeks political advice from. He reiterated that he left the APC because the party had strayed from its founding principles.

“The APC has abandoned the principles that led to its establishment. It has abandoned the community,” he said. “Everyone is doing their own thing. Everyone is looking for money. The government has become a business government.”