‘I informed Buhari before dumping APC’ – El-Rufai

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa yesterday, El-Rufai confirmed that he discussed his decision to leave the ruling party with Buhari before officially joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday.

“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,” he said.

When asked if 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.”

El-Rufai maintained that he had no regrets supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election but admitted that Tinubu’s actions had taken him by surprise.

“I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise. But why I don’t regret supporting him is that some Yoruba leaders from the South West visited Kaduna and informed me that Muslims in their region were being politically marginalised. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.”

“The second reason is that we agreed that the 2023 presidential seat should be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria for fairness, balance, and justice in the country.”

Explaining why he left the APC, El-Rufai said the party had strayed from its founding principles and no longer served the interests of the people.

“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.”

He added that before making his decision to leave, he consulted key political figures, including Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande.