Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has opened up about his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he informed former President Muhammadu Buhari, who he refers to as his godfather, before making the move. El-Rufai, one of the founding members of the ruling APC, made this revelation during an interview with the BBC Hausa service on Wednesday.
In his conversation with the BBC, El-Rufai explained that his decision to leave the APC was not a sudden one. According to him, he had a private discussion with Buhari, his mentor and political guide, prior to his departure from the party. “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,” El-Rufai said.
The former governor’s connection to Buhari goes beyond politics. He considers the ex-president as his political godfather and stressed the importance of keeping him in the loop on significant decisions. While El-Rufai admitted that Buhari was his first godfather, he also mentioned that there were other influential figures he consults before making key decisions. However, he declined to reveal the identities of these individuals, explaining that naming them would only lead to unnecessary pressure on them.
“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 stated.
El-Rufai’s comments come after a turbulent period in Nigerian politics. His departure from the APC has been viewed as a significant blow to the party, considering his role in its formation and rise to power. Since leaving the APC, El-Rufai has made it clear that he is no longer aligned with the party, which he believes has strayed far from the principles that once defined it.
The former governor also reflected on his support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential elections. Despite the surprising developments in Tinubu’s administration, El-Rufai said he did not regret backing him. He explained that his support for Tinubu was based on two key reasons.
“The first reason I supported Tinubu was that some Yoruba leaders from the South West had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalized. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu,” El-Rufai said.
He also mentioned that there was an agreement to zone the presidential seat to the Southern part of Nigeria in the interest of fairness, balance, and justice in the country. This, according to El-Rufai, was another key factor in his decision to support Tinubu.
However, El-Rufai made it clear that he felt disappointed by the direction the APC and the current government have taken. He stated that the APC had lost its way, abandoning the principles on which it was founded. In his view, the party had become more focused on personal interests and wealth rather than serving 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,” he said.
El-Rufai was particularly critical of the way government appointments were being handled. He alleged that a select group of individuals from Lagos now controlled these appointments, sidelining those who had worked hard for the party. “There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognized, let alone rewarded. Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead,” he declared.
In his interview, El-Rufai also spoke about the importance of consulting other influential figures in the Nigerian political landscape before making important decisions. He mentioned several individuals he consults, including Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande, highlighting the role these figures play in his political journey.
El-Rufai’s comments reflect a growing sense of disillusionment with the APC among some of its founding members. Many feel that the party has moved away from its original mission and is no longer a force for positive change in the country. This sense of betrayal has led to a number of high-profile exits from the party, and El-Rufai’s departure has added to the ongoing debate about the future of the APC and the direction Nigeria’s politics is headed.
The former governor’s views also raise important questions about the role of political godfathers in Nigerian politics. While Buhari may no longer be in power, his influence over many political figures, including El-Rufai, remains significant. The relationship between godfathers and their political protégés has been a defining feature of Nigerian politics for decades, and El-Rufai’s comments suggest that this dynamic continues to shape political decisions in the country.
El-Rufai’s statements also shine a light on the current state of Nigerian politics. As the country grapples with issues such as political corruption, regional marginalization, and the concentration of power among a few elites, many Nigerians are questioning the future of their political parties and the ability of their leaders to deliver meaningful change. El-Rufai’s departure from the APC and his criticisms of the party may be a reflection of a broader sense of dissatisfaction with the current political system.
