Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has explained that he consulted former President Muhammadu Buhari before leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

On Monday, el-Rufai officially announced his defection to the SDP and encouraged his supporters and other Nigerians to join him in the party.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Thursday, he said he does not make major political decisions without first seeking Buhari’s advice. According to him, Buhari prayed for him and gave his approval before he left the APC.

“There are certain people I always consult before making big decisions, and Buhari is one of them. When I decided to leave the APC, I went to meet him on a Friday. I asked for his prayers and blessings, which he gave me,” el-Rufai said.

He also recalled how, as governor, he sought Buhari’s opinion before appointing his commissioners.

“Before appointing commissioners in Kaduna, I took the list to Buhari. I wanted to make sure none of them had ever insulted him. He laughed, thanked me, and told me to go ahead with my appointments.”

When asked if he has a political mentor, el-Rufai said he does not, but he has a group of people he consults for political advice.

He stated that he left the APC because the party had drifted away from its original values.

“The APC has abandoned the principles it was built on. People are now focused on making money instead of serving the community. The government has turned into a business,” he said.

El-Rufai’s exit from the APC marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as he was once a key figure in the party’s leadership. His move to the SDP may attract more defections in the coming months.