Ex-President Buhari Okayed My Defection To SDP – El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has revealed that his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, which was monitored by our correspondent, El-Rufai stated that he consulted Buhari before making the move, emphasising that he does not take major political decisions without informing the former president.

“I left APC with his (Buhari) knowledge. On Friday, I went to him and told him that I was leaving the party because I don’t take any major political decision without informing him. Even when I was governor of Kaduna State and wanted to appoint commissioners, I sent him the list to review and ensure there was no one who had insulted him in the past. After reviewing it, he said there was no problem and he prayed for success,” El-Rufai disclosed.

El-Rufai also dismissed speculation that his exit was due to being denied a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. According to him, Tinubu personally asked him to join his administration to help stabilise the power sector.

“Some think I left because I wasn’t appointed as a minister, but I never asked for that position. I went for screening because the President begged me to work with him. He came to me in Kaduna and we discussed his vision for steady power supply, and he asked me to help him achieve that. I thought he was serious at the time,” El-Rufai explained.

The former governor clarified that he did not regret supporting Tinubu’s candidacy, saying: “I do not regret supporting him, but I feel disappointed. The reason I don’t regret it is because of two factors. First, Yoruba leaders from the South-West came to me in Kaduna, explaining that Muslim politicians in their region were facing political challenges. That was why I supported Tinubu. Secondly, we had agreed that in 2023, the presidency should shift to the South to promote fairness and justice in the country,” he stated.

El-Rufai also addressed whether he has a political godfather, acknowledging Buhari’s influence but refusing to name others.

“I have political associates whom I consult before making decisions. If they advise me to drop a plan, I do so. My first political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari. I won’t mention the others because if I do, people will start pressuring them,” he said.

Expressing his discontent with the APC, El-Rufai accused the party of abandoning its founding principles and prioritising personal interests over governance.

“APC has neglected the people. Everyone is looking out for their personal interests and making money. The government has turned into a business, where everything has a price. There is no justice. The party does not even recognise those who worked hard for it. For every appointment, they only pick people from Lagos. The party is dead,” El-Rufai declared.