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.

…blames Governor for Repeated Market Fires

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has berated Governor Seyi Makinde over what it described as his administration’s failure to prevent recurring fire disasters across the state.

The opposition party expressed concerns following the devastating fire that gutted the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan on Tuesday night, destroying goods and properties worth billions of naira.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists, the APC accused the Makinde-led administration of incompetence, negligence, and poor disaster management.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the traders who lost so much in money and property as a result of the unfortunate Tuesday night inferno, which has become a recurring decimal across the state. However, we must challenge the Makinde administration on its approach to safety, accident prevention, and emergency management,” the statement read.

Questions Over Alleged Fire Truck Procurement

The opposition party also raised concerns over the capacity of the Oyo State Fire Service, alleging that its inability to respond effectively to emergencies was due to a lack of functional firefighting equipment.

According to the statement, credible sources confirmed that firefighters could not contain the Aleshinloye inferno due to the unavailability of basic equipment.

“How does one explain that Oyo State can only boast of one or two firefighting trucks, even when Governor Makinde announced in 2020 that he had procured 10 fire trucks from Turkey with millions of naira in public funds?” the APC queried.

The party demanded that the government provide a detailed explanation on the status of the fire trucks and called for an urgent overhaul of the state’s fire response system.

Illegal Structures, Workers’ Strike Also Highlighted

Beyond the fire incidents, the APC also accused the Makinde administration of violating urban planning laws by allowing unauthorized construction in major markets across the state.

“Government agents have built lock-up shops and malls indiscriminately, blocking access roads, car parks, and emergency exits. This reckless behavior is endangering lives,” the party alleged.

The statement also touched on the ongoing industrial action by workers in state-owned tertiary institutions and health facilities, urging the governor to meet their demands to prevent further disruption in critical sectors.

APC Demands Immediate Action

The opposition party called on the state government to empower the Fire Service with adequate personnel and modern equipment.

“It is equally important to prioritize public safety through fire prevention awareness campaigns. Also, we demand full disclosure on the 10 firefighting trucks supposedly purchased from Turkey,” Sadare stated.

Kaduna State’s immediate past governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing dissatisfaction with the party’s current leadership direction.

El-Rufai announced his departure in a statement on Monday, expressing his disillusionment with the APC’s deviation from its foundational progressive ideals.

“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he declared.

The former governor disclosed that he had repeatedly voiced concerns, both privately and publicly, about the party’s declining trajectory over the past two years. However, he lamented that the APC’s leadership showed no willingness to address the issues.

“Developments in the last two years on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the state,” he said.

El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023, highlighted his administration’s commitment to progressive governance but noted that his contributions have been disregarded under the current APC leadership.

“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable,” he added.

As part of his defection process, El-Rufai confirmed that he had formally submitted his resignation letter to his APC ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

A New Political Path

The former governor described the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as his new political platform, calling on his supporters and concerned Nigerians to join him in the movement. He stressed the need for a strong democratic alternative to challenge the APC in future elections.

His decision follows recent consultations with prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Vice Presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, and former President Muhammadu Buhari.

El-Rufai’s defection also comes amid reports of tensions between him and the presidency, with the former governor notably absent from the APC National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last month.

His departure marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with many observers speculating on its potential impact ahead of the 2027 general elections.