‘Buhari My Mentor Nudged Me To Contest For Kaduna Gov’ship’, El-Rufai Mourns

Former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has mourned the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as his political mentor who also nudged him to contest for the governorship of Kaduna State.

The two-term former Kaduna State governor, in his condolence message maintained that former President Buhari stood for the country in war and peace.

He added that Buhari made his contributions to the country’s progress, as a military officer, Head of State and elected president.

El-Rufai further noted that Buhari demonstrated remarkable resilience, recovering from his ouster as military Head of State in 1985 to emerge as an elected president in 2015.

“He was rather taciturn but had a sense of humour. He exuded a charm that connected him to ordinary people who cherished him as a symbol of integrity, a man who could be trusted to stand by the people.

“Despite disappointment in three previous presidential elections, he summoned the vision and energy to construct a new coalition that birthed the APC in 2013.

“He ultimately recorded a first in Nigerian history, defeating an incumbent president in 2015. After two terms as president he also successfully handed over power to an elected successor. In retirement, he retained his pull, often playing gracious host to a variety of prominent persons,” El-Rufai said.

He added that he had the privilege of working with the late former president in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). “He asked me to lead the CPC Renewal Committee after the 2011 elections. Our Committee recommended the imperative of the CPC merging with the ACN and other parties in time for the 2015 elections.

“President Buhari was my political mentor. He nudged me to contest for the governorship of Kaduna State, encouraged me by attending the flag-off of my campaign in November 2014 and stood by me to victory.

“I am profoundly grateful for his support during my tenure as governor and for the remarkable access he afforded me, even during rare moments of disagreement on policy matters,” he said.

The former Kaduna governor prayed Allah to grant Buhari Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family, especially his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and his children.