By Uzair Adam
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.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday, El-Rufai confirmed his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, he disclosed that he sought Buhari’s counsel before making the move, emphasizing that he often consulted the former president on political matters.
“There are certain people I consult before making major decisions, and I always follow their advice. Former President Muhammadu Buhari is one of them. I met with him on a Friday, informed him about my decision to leave the APC, and asked for his prayers and blessings, which he gave,” El-Rufai said.
He also recalled instances during his tenure as Kaduna governor when he sought Buhari’s input on key appointments, including commissioner nominations.
“Before appointing my commissioners, I presented the list to Buhari for review, to check if any of them had ever insulted him. “He laughed, thanked me, and told me to proceed with my appointments,” he added.