Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has revealed that his exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was done with the full knowledge and consent of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

El-Rufai officially announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, he disclosed that he consulted Buhari before making the move, noting that he frequently sought the former president’s advice on political matters.

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 instances from his tenure 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.”