Buhari Is My Godfather, I Informed Him Before I Left APC – El-Rufai

-Says The Party Has Abandoned Ideals That Led To Its Formation

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, says he informed the former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he calls his godfather, before he left the All Progressives Congress.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the ruling APC, said this in an interview with BBC Hausa service on Wednesday.

He said, “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.”

The former Kaduna helmsman said besides Buhari, he had other godfathers he would rather not mention.

“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,” he said.

On his support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, El-Rufai said, “I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise. But why I don’t regret supporting him is, some Yoruba leaders from the South West had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalised. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.

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

He insisted that the APC was dead. He also alleged that government appointments were being controlled by a select group from Lagos.

He stated, “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.

“That is why I consult Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” he said.