Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he sought former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval in all his political decisions, including his recent departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Monday, el-Rufai announced that he had joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The former Kaduna governor had asked his supporters “and other persons concerned about our country’s future” to join him in the SDP.
Speaking in an interview on BBC Hausa aired on Thursday, el-Rufai said he does not take a major decision without first consulting Buhari.
He added that the ex-president prayed for him after he shared his defection plan with him.
“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 in Hausa.
“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.
“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 (Buhari) laughed, thanked me and told me you can go ahead and appoint commissioners.”
Asked if he has a father figure in politics, el-Rufai replied in the negative, stating that he only has a group he seeks political advice from.
He restated that he left the ruling APC because the party had deviated from its core values.
“The APC has abandoned the principles that led to its establishment. It has abandoned the community,” he said.
“Everyone is doing their own thing. Everyone is looking for money. The government has become a business government.”
When asked if he had a political godfather, El-Rufai denied having one but admitted he sought political advice from certain individuals.
“What is a godfather? I have elders whom I consult before making any major decision. If they advise me to halt a plan, I do so. My primary political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari.
“As for the others, I won’t mention them to avoid undue pressure on them,” El-Rufai explained.
El-Rufai also stated that although President Bola Tinubu had not treated him as expected, he had no regrets supporting him.
“I have no regrets supporting him, but I feel blindsided. However, I supported Tinubu for two reasons.
“First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest came to me in Kaduna, explaining that their people were facing political challenges. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.
“The second reason was our agreement that the presidency should return to Southern Nigeria in 2023 to ensure balance and fairness in the country,” El-Rufai stated.
