Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The former governor of Kaduna State seems to always make the headlines. His recent resignation from APC and Defection to SDP was both shocking and against the grain in the scheme of things, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he has been a key figure.
Truth Live News gathered that Nasiru El-Rufai has disclosed that he left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the full knowledge and consent of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His move comes amid ongoing tensions within the ruling party, with reports of internal divisions and dissatisfaction among some stakeholders.
He said, “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.
“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.”
El-Rufai recalled times from his stint as governor when he sought Buhari’s approval on key appointments, including submitting his commissioner nominees for review.
“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 laughed, thanked me and told me you can go ahead and appoint commissioners.”
The former Kaduna governor has long been a close ally of Buhari, playing a crucial role in the formation of the APC in 2013 and its subsequent electoral victories in 2015 and 2019. However, his recent political trajectory suggests a growing discontent with the party’s direction under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP, a historically progressive party, raises questions about his future political ambitions. The move could signal his intent to challenge the APC’s dominance in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections, positioning himself as a major opposition figure.
His emphasis on consulting Buhari before leaving the APC highlights the former president’s lingering influence in Northern Nigerian politics, even after leaving office. While Buhari’s blessing does not necessarily translate to support for the SDP, it indicates that El-Rufai remains in good standing with his former boss, which could have implications for political alignments in the coming months.
Nigerians will be watching closely to see how this defection impacts the APC’s strength in Kaduna and the wider North, as well as whether other disaffected party members follow suit.