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March 13, 2025
He revealed that his decision to leave the ruling party was made with Buhari’s consent.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he sought former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval in all his political decisions, including his recent departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He revealed that his decision to leave the ruling party was made with Buhari’s consent.
El-Rufai in an interview with BBC Hausa also said that when he was Kaduna governor, he would seek Buhari’s approval before appointing commissioners.
He explained that he always submitted a list of nominees to the former president for review to ensure none had insulted him.
"I left APC with his knowledge. I went to him on Friday and informed him that I was leaving the party. There is nothing I do without informing him," El-Rufai stated.
"Even when I was Kaduna governor, before appointing commissioners, I would present a list to him for review, ensuring none had ever insulted him.”
“After reviewing it, he would say there was no problem, and he would pray for success. I consulted him on everything I did," he added.
When asked if he had a political godfather, El-Rufai denied having one but admitted he sought political advice from certain individuals.
"What is a godfather? I have elders whom I consult before making any major decision. If they advise me to halt a plan, I do so. My primary political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari.
“As for the others, I won’t mention them to avoid undue pressure on them," El-Rufai explained.
El-Rufai also stated that although President Bola Tinubu had not treated him as expected, he had no regrets supporting him.
"I have no regrets supporting him, but I feel blindsided. However, I supported Tinubu for two reasons.
"First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest came to me in Kaduna, explaining that their people were facing political challenges. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.
"The second reason was our agreement that the presidency should return to Southern Nigeria in 2023 to ensure balance and fairness in the country," El-Rufai stated.
El-Rufai said he left the APC because the party had deviated from its founding principles.
"The APC abandoned the ideals that led to its formation. It has abandoned the people. Everyone is now pursuing personal interests and wealth. The government has become a business enterprise where everything has a price.
"There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognised, let alone rewarded. Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead.
“That is why I consult Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision," El-Rufai stated.
SaharaReporters previously reported that El-Rufai has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s departure from its founding principles and vision.
In a Facebook statement on Monday, the former governor announced his decision to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
As a founding member of the APC, he expressed his disappointment, stating that the party has been taken over by individuals who have strayed from the progressive ideals that led to its creation in 2013.
He accused the current leadership of disregarding internal democracy and treating members with contempt.
In his statement, El-Rufai said: “As a founding member of the APC, I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC.
“It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will continue to align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.”
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