Former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai has confirmed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) was made with the knowledge and approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai, who recently announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), shared this during an interview with the BBC Hausa service on Wednesday. He noted that he regularly seeks Buhari’s advice on political matters and made sure to consult him before leaving the APC.
“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 stated.
He further revealed that he personally met with Buhari on a Friday to discuss his decision. During the meeting, he sought the former president’s prayers and blessings, which he received.
“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 said.
The former governor also recalled how he had frequently involved Buhari in key decisions during his time in office. He specifically mentioned that before appointing his commissioners in Kaduna State, he presented the list to Buhari for review.
“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 commissioners,” El-Rufai recounted.
