- He criticised APC, saying it abandoned its founding principles and prioritised personal interests, turning governance into a business enterprise.
- Appointments in APC-led government, according to El-Rufai, are now controlled by a small group from Lagos, sidelining loyal party members.
Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has stated that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the full awareness of Muhammadu Buhari.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that El-Rufai, a founding figure in the APC, officially moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday, citing internal issues within his former party.
During an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, the former governor revealed that he had personally discussed his plan to exit the APC and join the SDP with Buhari.
He said, “I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party, because I involve and consult with him on all my matters.”
When asked whether he had a political godfather, El-Rufai responded, “I have those I consult with in everything I do. I inform them of anything I intend to do, and when they demand that I keep off, I do. My first godfather is Muhammadu Buhari. For the rest, I will not mention them because if I do, they’ll be pressured.”
Further speaking, the former governor stated that while he had no regrets supporting Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, some of the president’s decisions had surprised him.
He said, “I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise. But why I don’t regret supporting him is, some Yoruba leaders from the South West had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalised. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.”
“The second reason is this: we agreed that the 2023 presidential seat would be zoned to the Southern part of the Nigeria for fairness, balance and justice in the country.”
El-Rufai explained that his departure from the APC was due to the party straying from the principles on which it was originally founded.
“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,” he said.
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