By Patrick Idowu
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had the full blessing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Thursday, El-Rufai disclosed that he met with Buhari on March 7 to inform him of his decision to leave the APC, a party he once declared would be his last political affiliation.
“I sought his blessing and prayers before moving to SDP, and he wished me success,” El-Rufai said. “Buhari told me he is now a statesman while we remain the politicians.”
Taking a swipe at his former party, El-Rufai said, “I didn’t leave the APC; the APC left me. If they had expelled me, it would have saved me the trouble of explaining my departure.”
Dismissing claims that he quit due to not being appointed a minister, El-Rufai said he never lobbied for the position, adding that President Bola Tinubu personally appealed to him to help resolve Nigeria’s power crisis.
Asked if Tinubu betrayed him, he responded, “No, he betrayed himself.” While he stopped short of expressing regret for supporting Tinubu’s presidency, El-Rufai admitted, “I am disappointed.”
