Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has disclosed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was made with the full knowledge and consent of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai made the announcement on his verified Facebook page on Monday and later confirmed in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday that he consulted with Buhari before making the move. He stated that he frequently sought Buhari’s advice on significant political decisions and trusted his judgment.
“I consulted Buhari before leaving the APC,” El-Rufai said, explaining that he met with the former president on a Friday to discuss his departure. He added that it was customary for him to seek Buhari’s counsel on major decisions, including key appointments during his tenure as Kaduna’s governor.
El-Rufai reflected on how, during his time as governor, he would seek Buhari’s approval before making appointments, even going so far as to cross-check his commissioner nominees with the former president to ensure no one had insulted him. Buhari, he recalled, laughed and gave his blessings, allowing El-Rufai to proceed with the appointments.
