Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has revealed that his decision to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was made with the knowledge and approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai, who officially announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday through a statement on his verified Facebook page, disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday.
The former governor stated that he has always sought Buhari’s counsel on major political decisions, including his departure from 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 said.
“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.”
El-Rufai also recalled how, during his time as Kaduna State governor, he sought Buhari’s input on key appointments, including the selection of commissioners.
“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 to go ahead and appoint my commissioners,” he added.
