Says Obi is without doubt, the Leader of opposition in Nigeria
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has made a pronouncement which has taken not a few people unawares. Mohammed, popular by just his first name, Bala, has expressed full readiness to work with Mr Peter Obi in order to provide good governance to Nigerians. This, of course, is with an eye on the 2027 Presidential Election.
Governor Mohammed who is, also, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said this while playing host in Bauchi on Thursday to Obi the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections.
Obi, who has been meeting with a number of Nigeria’s stakeholders was in Bauchi to consult with the Governor on the way forward.
Speaking after the meeting which held at the Presidential Lodge, Bauchi State, the Governor said his discussions with Obi also revolved around how the two of them can work closely together and address poverty and criminality in a way thatv would transcend political, religious or tribal lines.
Governor Mohammed: “We discussed state by state challenges and I feel highly appreciative of what he is doing as the leader of the opposition because whether we like it or not, he is the leader of the opposition now in Nigeria.
“I want to say at this level not to make some of those doubting Thomases and mischievous minds to pre-empt what we are doing, that I’m ready to work with Peter Obi.
“We will make sure we come together, close ranks, bring good governance to the country, give vibrant opposition with knowledge, timelines, visions in such a manner that we will rescue and recover our country.
“Our coming together is a message and the message is going to resonate because all our colleagues, the PDP governors are behind this kind of journey because it is a transcendental one.
“We are coming together to work together irrespective of party, region, religion or any other thing,” said Mohammed.
On Obi’s part, he said he visited Gov Mohammed to discuss a number of issues as they concern Nigeria as well as consult with him, especially, as he is the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ forum and, an all round critical stakeholder today’s politics.
Obi: “It’s just a consultation and discussion meeting that will continue to go on as we talk about the future of this country.
“We have to discuss issues happening in the North. I have told the Governor today that the North is a critical component if we are going to get it right in this country.
“There is poverty in Nigeria. We have to deal with the issue of poverty and until you solve poverty, then you can talk about criminality.”
None appears to be safe in the war of attrition in Rivers State since the Supreme Court empowered the House of Assembly by reinstating 27 of them who publicly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a move widely perceived as sign -posting their avowed determination to humiliate Governor Siminalayi Fubara out of office, the Lawmakers have been unleashing the country’s security and anti-graft agencies on all perceived collaborators of the Governor in the last few days
At plenary on Thursday March 13, 2025, the House resolved to invite the Department of State Services DSS to investigate allegation of age falsification against the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi.
The Source reports that the Legislators had on Wednesday, equally asked the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC to investigate and possibly prosecute the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC ,for allegedly mismanaging billions of Naira of State funds during the October 5, 2024 Local Government polls in the State.
The motion unleashing the anti-graft Commission on the Justice Adolphus Enebeli- led RSIEC is sequel to their refusal to honour an earlier summons by the obviously House.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Dumle Maol , raised the allegation against the Chief Judge after the Majority Leader, Hon Major Jack earlier tendered some relevant documents in that regard.
“These documents before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi falsified his age in service.
Mr Speaker, that is a very serious allegation, and I do hope that this House takes legislative notice” Hon Jack stated.
The House, subsequently, after deliberating on the motion resolved to write the Department of State Services DSS, requesting it to carry out a full scale inquest into the allegation.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Amaewfule, had earlier called for a comprehensive probe into the allegation, noting that the issue is of paramount public interest .
“The documents here are only suggesting a case of age falsification by the Honourable Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi. What that means is that there has to be an investigation to that effect”, Amaewfule noted.
However, this Magazine has authoritatively gathered that the travail of the Chief Judge might not be unconnected with the failure of the Legislators and some anti-Fubara forces to co-opt him into the wider plot to get rid of the Governor.
Constitutionally, the State chief Judge plays a very decisive role in the impeachment plans of any sitting Governor.
All efforts by the legislative body will amount to nothing ,should the Chief Judge through a panel which he/she constitutes to investigate allegations of wrong doings against a Governor or the Deputy, turns in a favourable report .
With the drum beat of impeachment getting louder in the pro-Wike dominated House of Assembly, a pliable and or a “friendly” Chief Judge will be needed by the Lawmakers to successfully carry out any impeachment plans against Governor Fubara.
However, how far the Legislators will go in this over drive to get at their prey for now remains at the realm of conjecture .
Following the condemnations that have trailed the closure of piblic and private Schools in Kebbi, Kano, Katsina and Bauchi States by their Governors due to the Ramadan, the Federal Government has ordered the immediate reopening of
The Federal Government condemned the Governors of the aforementioned States for sending children away from school to observe Ramadan.
Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education said that: “There is no religious basis for shutting down schools during Ramadan. Even in countries like Saudi Arabia, which are recognised as Muslim Nations, educational institutions continue to function normally during this period”.
Ahmad however acknowledged the autonomy of the States in managing their education systems but insisted that “closing schools for Ramadan is unnecessary and detrimental to student learning.”
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has 18.3 million out-of-school children, with Bauchi having the highest rate of 54 per cent, followed by Kebbi with 45 per cent. Katsina has 38 per cent, and Kano is fourth with 35 per cent.
Prior to this, the decision of the Governors to close down Schools due to Ramadan had been widely condemned.
The FG’s now order has been applauded by a large numbers of Nigerians, Muslims included.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said drops in prices of foodstuffs, stability in exchange rates, and a gradual decline in the cost of petroleum products, are clear indicators that the reforms put in place by the present administration are yielding positive results.
The Minister reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu is steering the affairs of Nigeria with the utmost fear of God and a deep conviction that history will judge his administration favourably.
Idris, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the ongoing Ministerial press briefing session, said a nation thrives when its leaders govern with a sense of divine responsibility.
He said the reforms being implemented by the President are not just well-intentioned but are essential for the growth and development of the nation.
“Let me say that we have crossed the Rubicon, and the pains are gradually easing as the positive impact of these reforms begins to manifest.
“Already, we are witnessing a marked reduction in food prices, stability in exchange rates, and a gradual decline in the cost of petroleum products, which are clear indicators that the reforms are yielding positive results.”
The Minister pointed out that history has shown that meaningful reforms are never easy, as they require sacrifice, resilience, and a commitment to long-term progress.
He emphasized that the challenges and difficulties that often accompany these reforms are a necessary price for achieving a more stable and prosperous future.
“Our country stands at a critical juncture as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu implements bold and transformative reforms to lay the foundation for a new Nigeria.
“Across the world, history has shown that meaningful reforms are never easy; they demand sacrifice, resilience, and a commitment to long-term progress. The initial pains that often accompany these changes are the necessary price for a more stable and prosperous future.
“I want to sincerely appreciate Nigerians for their patience, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the President’s vision.”
Idris therefore, appealed to religious leaders to use the period of Ramadan and Lent to offer prayers for the peace, security, and progress of the country.
“I want to urge our Muslim and Christian leaders, particularly during this period of fasting and reflection, to continue to pray for Nigeria’s success. With unity, faith, and collective effort, we will emerge stronger, more resilient, and positioned for lasting prosperity,” he said.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa gave the scorecards of their stewardship at the the Press Briefing Session.
At last, there appears to be a glimmer of hope that once again the Federal Government’s intervention may save Abians from another self-inflicted embarrassment ,and opprobrium.
For nearly two years, Abia State has remained unarguably, the only State which activities are conducted from the private residence of the Governor.
The unprecedented situation became too repugnant and nauseating as to draw the ire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
At a breakfast meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday March 10, which featured some Governors, Ministers, Party leaders, and other stakeholders, the President reportedly expressed disgust at the fact that Abia State’s Government businesses are conducted from the Governor’s private residence.
A video of President Bola Tinubu chiding the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for conducting the business of Government from the inner recess of his private mansion in Isiala Ngwa South Local Council of the State has since been trending.
According to the video clip, the President had used the occasion of the Ramadan breakfast to question the motive and appropriateness of Governor Otti’s continued use of his private residence as the official seat of power of Abia State, almost, two years in office.
For the President, money couldn’t have been the problem, as according to him, there have been enough funds at the disposal of State Governors since the removal of petroleum products subsidies in May 2023.
President Tinubu, reportedly, expressed serious reservations and disappointment over the Governor’s decision to shun the official Government House in Umuahia, the State Capital.
Yet, it was not as if Abians were before the President’s intervention deaf and dumb to the embarrassing and unusual development.
The opposition camp severally and collectively had cause to interrogate the conversion of a private residence into an official Government House.
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, All Progressive Congress APC, and even a section of the Governor’s ruling Labour Party, LP, had all taken time out to voice their opposition to the situation.
But in all, the Governor and some choristers within the corridors of power have continued to, at best, treat the groundswell of opposition to the development as a mere distracting antics from a bunch of frustrated and conquered political foes of yesteryear.
The closest the Governor has ever come towards addressing the situation was on Friday, March 7, 2025, during his monthly media interaction.
But his response to many was as disappointing and unconvincing as his earlier gloating over the issue .
While responding to a question on why he has chosen to operate from his private residence, the Governor informed that he cannot relocate to both the Old and New Government Houses in Umuahia owing to their dilapidated conditions.
He noted that enormous resources will be needed to fix both Government Houses before they will be in shape for use.
According to him, instead of committing humongous sum to the renovation, retrofitting or outright reconstruction, he has decided to operate from his house, and channel the funds to some other important projects.
Instructively, the same Government Houses, particularly, the old one, were used by all his predecessors both immediate and remote.
As at the time of reporting, not a few Abians are fervently praying that the Federal authorities should once again pull through what the people have been struggling in vain to achieve in almost two years.
The Federal Government had, last year, equally came to the rescue of the people when its intervention saved the State from an avoidable crisis of which nobody could have fathomed the debt.
For the record, it took the intervention of the National Security Adviser NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, to have a State Lawmaker, Hon Aaron Uzodike, to be sworn-in about eight months after being proclaimed winner of the Aba North State Constituency election held in 2023 .
The National/State Assembly Election Appeal Tribunal sitting in Lagos had, in November 2023, declared Uzodike the winner after nullifying the earlier victory of LP’s Destiny Nwagwu.
However, for months the Speaker, Emmanuel Emereuwa, obviously backed by the Governor, flatly refused to swear-in the PDP candidate, hiding under some unimaginable and nebulous reasons.
From claiming the absence of a consequential order in the Appeal Court judgment, to a non-existent restraining Court order, the Speaker, for eight months ignored all entreaties to swear-in Uzodike.
Expectedly, the posture of the Assembly leadership which had denied Aba North Constituency representation, led to the heating up of the State’s political atmosphere,with various youth groups threatening to unleash mayhem.
This Magazine gathered that an obviously disturbed NSA had to engage the Governor in a telephone discussion and expressed concern over the continued refusal to swear-in somebody who had been declared winner by a Court of last jurisdiction in National and State Assembly elections disputes.
Ironically, while the Governor has continued to term the renovation and reconstruction of the Government House in the State Capital, a non-priority project, not so for the State’s Government lodge in Abuja which is currently being reconstructed after its controversial demolition in 2024.
The Abuja Government House is said to be costing the State about a whopping N8 billion, enough to knock into shape the important Government House in the State capital.
Similarly, a section of the opposition in the State has alleged that three new buildings have been erected in the Nvosi Isialangwa Private residence of the Governor ever since it was converted to the State’s seat of power.
The opposition has been raising questions about who will ultimately claim ownership of the new properties recently built at the Governor’s residence and whose funds were used in building them.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taunted the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, for hosting a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party’s South-south stakeholders without inviting him and his loyalists. Even as a Governor, Wike mocked Diri, “he knelt down before me”, and there were witnesses. Wike said he quickly had to ask Governor Diri “not to do that.”
Wike, a former two-term Governor of Rivers State insists he is still a staunch member of the Party even though he worked against the party in 2023; is holding a high profile office under an All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government; and is the Commander of the opposition against a PDP Governor in Rivers State.
Wike made the condescending disclosure about Governor Diri when he spoke to Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
In response to Governor Diri’s non invitation of him and his loyalists to a meeting of PDP South-south Zonal Leaders, Wike called Diri ungrateful, and a man without character, almost.
On the reason why he thinks he and his loyalists were slighted by Diri, Wike submitted that Governor Diri is working hand in hand with his (Wike’s) now politically-sworn enemy, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, against him.
But he mocked Diri: “This is why when I look at people, I say character matters. You know, this Diri you’re talking about, go and ask the Minister (State) of Petroleum, Senator (Heineken) Lokpobiri, who brought Diri to me. This Governor you’re talking about – this is why I always say character is something you cannot buy.
“Lokpobiri, the Minister under the President brought him here with David Lyon. This Governor, he was kneeling down, and I told him, ‘No, don’t do that.’
“Today, he convenes a meeting of the South-south Zone in his house, and the Minister of FCT is not invited, the Zonal Committee is not invited, the Senators are not invited, the National Assembly Members are not invited. What kind of politics is this? Now, look at how they are behaving?”
As a parting shot, Wike emphasized that he would never leave the PDP.
Many years ago, when my teacher said nothing sells like sex, crime, and money, I didn’t fully understand what he meant. Yet, over the years, I’ve repeatedly seen that a judicious mix of these socio-economic ingredients is a spellbinder.
Apart from the tragic news about banditry, the suspense in Rivers State, and the heightened prostitution amongst politicians crossing carpet or finding new harems, nothing has hugged the headlines as relentlessly as the salacious tango between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
After weeks of trying to see, hear, and say no evil, I’m compelled to overcome the temptation of abstaining by yielding. It’s not an easy road, believe me – not for those genuinely trying to make sense of it, not for the busybodies and certainly not for the parties involved.
Managing their libido
It’s heartbreaking that despite the perennial underperformance of the legislature, managing the libido of its menfolk has piled on the hazards we must endure.
But it’s not a Nigerian thing, if that is any comfort. A 2016 study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians indicates that 20 percent of women parliamentarians globally report sexual harassment during their terms. The hospitality and healthcare sectors follow the pecking order, with power relations influencing the trend in several industries, professions, and workspaces.
Allegations of sexual harassment or assault have indeed been weaponised in the past. From the Central Park Five in the US to Ivan Henry, and Perry Lott, exonerated only two years ago after serving 35 years for a rape conviction in Oklahoma, the literature is replete with cases of persons wrongfully convicted for sexual offences they did not commit. Lott won’t be the last.
What is behind seven…
Yet, Akpoti-Natasha’s allegation should be taken more seriously than just another regular nuisance from an under-performing legislative branch. The feedback from insiders has been puzzling. Akpabio and Akpoti-Natasha have been good friends, one source told me. In Akpabio’s Senate presidency, the source said, none of the other three female senators have enjoyed the privileges Akpoti-Uduaghan has, even though she is a first-timer.
Jealousy, I thought, especially when my source added that apart from her appointment as chairman of the juicy local content development committee, Akpoti-Natasha had been a part of the Senate president’s entourage on trips to several enchanting destinations before things fell apart. This source, I’ve known for years, is not given to flippancy. But I pressed for more.
Show me your friend…
The source added thatAkpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, Emmanuel, a hard-working man, high chief, husband of one wife, and friend of the establishment but a non-legislator, had also executed several significant contracts for the National Assembly running into hundreds of millions of naira.
For anyone familiar with how things are done here, lavish travels and contracts for one’s buddies are only a tiny part of the fringe benefits. There is a common saying among Nigerian politicians that one does not give jobs to one’s enemies.
Yet, if it’s also true that one’s friends can sometimes tell a lot about who they are, then anyone who is Akpabio’s friend and gets special treatment cannot claim they’re strangers to his flippancy, a shortcoming for which he cannot help himself. Akpoti-Uduaghan should know him.
Natasha Akpoti and Godswill Akpabio
A lifestyle of rough jokes
As governor of Akwa Ibom State, he said before TV cameras at a zonal meeting in Port Harcourt that “hungry” state party chairmen of his former party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), should be given one million naira each for snacks at Mr. Biggs. Akpabio also famously said that whatever money cannot do, more money can do.
The bawdier variety range from telling young protesters last year that those who wanted to protest could do so “while the rest of us would be here eating.” Not to mention his off-colour quip about the Senate not being a night club or his pre-recess gaffe to “send prayers” (meaning money) to senators just before their holiday.
The man can’t help himself. He thinks the allegation against him is wokeism gone rogue and called it “a useless allegation of sexual harassment.” But the gravity goes beyond his insinuation that Akpoti-Uduaghan is fighting back for losing her “juicy” committee seat or his charge that she thinks of herself as finer than Snow White, a woman to kill for.
Under the rug
The point is that even though he has framed this dispute as a useless distraction, he should never have been the prosecutor and judge in his own case. Because he was involved – the second time in five years – the matter should have been referred to an independent panel or opened to the public.
Allegations of sexual harassment are often difficult to prove. Many incidents occur privately, leaving no direct witnesses or corroborative testimony. Claims usually rely on the complainant’s words, and documentation of circumstantial evidence is challenging.
Referring the matter to the Ethics and Privileges committee was supposed to create a veneer of impartiality. Still, Akpabio’s vindictiveness was apparent long before the committee returned the six-month suspension verdict onAkpoti-Uduaghan. The Senate president was pulling the strings.
It is not Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to a fair, impartial hearing alone that was at stake, even though the absence of that should have been sufficient to discredit her punishment. Akpabio has also abridged the rights of the senator’s constituents in Kogi Central by this libidinous overreach.
He should have been more restrained.
A worrying record
Discipline of members shouldn’t be done lightly. Of eight senators suspended since 1999, three have been in the last two years under Akpabio’s presidency. In 236 years, the US Senate has censured nine members.
In South Africa, apart from the raft of parliamentarians who resigned after the so-called Travelgate scandal in the early 2000s, the most notable cases of censure since 1994 have been Julius Malema and Jacob Zuma, for different reasons.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended for her allegation against the Senate president but for multiple breaches, from refusal to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, disruptive behaviour, and failure to appear before the Senate Ethics Committee, contrary to Senate Orders 2023 as amended.
With only four women out of 109 senators (both chambers of the National Assembly have eight of 490 members), this might sound like music to the ears of the male-dominated chamber. But in the hallways, just outside their gilded offices, the word is that after a previous sexual harassment allegation by Akpoti-Uduaghan against former presidential aide Reno Omokri, it’s time to teach her a lesson.
Spouses beware
Akpabio cannot come clean by asking his wife to tell us what a faithful husband he has been. Or telling us stories of how he spent the night at the Dangote Cement factory to make it to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding. We have an idea what spouses would say in situations like this, and where he spent the night to attend his friend’s wedding is his business.
Enough of the salacious spellbinder. He should allow an independent investigation and publish the findings to bring closure to this sordid episode.
Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book Writing for Media and Monetising It.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has summoned all Heads of Security Agencies in the State over recent attacks on four villages by armed herdsmen.
Commandant of Amotekun Corps in the State, Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed this, explained that the measure is to ensure that such an attack does not occur again.
Some of the Aides to the Governor had flayed report of the incident, describing it exaggerated.
The Governor has equally assured residents of government intervention following the brutal attack on Alajido and Sunday Camp farm settlements in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
He assured residents of the affected areas of immediate security measures and to ameliorate their plights.
Represented by the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, who addressed the villagers, confirmed the carnage and extent of destruction.
“On behalf of the good people of Ondo State, I commiserate with the affected families. We assure residents and farmers that now that the government is here, we will secure the area and bring the culprits to justice.
“It is a very unfortunate situation, and we pray such an incident never happens again.”
The government urged residents to return to their homes and farms, assuring them that their security will be guaranteed.
The attacked villages, which the Amotekun Commander visited, include Alajido and Sunday Camp, where it was reported that nine lives were lost.
Responding, the Regent of Ademekun in Akure North Local Government, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, recounted the chilling events.
She said, “Immediately I was informed, I quickly called the attention of all security agencies and the government. I want to thank the government for the immediate response and the impact we felt.”
One of the survivors, a 35-year-old farmer, Samson Joro from Taraba State, who was born on the farmland, expressed despair over the attack.
“My family and I have nowhere else to go. We really don’t know what happened that day or why they attacked us.”
Recalling the horrific night, he continued, “At about midnight, we heard gunshots. At first, they were distant, but soon they came closer. Before we realised what was happening, they were here. I heard my neighbour and his wife screaming.
“It was the herdsmen. By the time they left, we counted nine bodies, including a man and his child.”
While the state government has deployed security forces to the affected communities, residents continue to demand justice and protection.
The massacre has reignited concerns over farmer-herder conflicts, with calls for stricter security measures to prevent further bloodshed.
During his visit, the governor’s toured Ala, Dada, Igbodudu, Powerline, Agbo, Oyinbo, Eyin Ala, Aboro, Sunday Camp, Fatai Camp, Allison, Gbere Awo, Gbuwe, and Igbon Moon, all in Akure North Local Government Area.
He also drove through villages such as Ago Ajanaku, Igbatoro, Familugba, Ute, Argentina, Imoru, and Ifon within Ose and Owo Local Government Areas to reassure inhabitants of their safety and security.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has just revealed another of his deep-rooted grievances against his successor in office, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Fubara succeeded Wike as the Governor of Rivers State in 2023. Wike, it was, who single-handedly, foisted Fubara on the State as his successor in defiance of all expectations.
However, both fell apart in what is now a bitter struggle for the soul of the State. Things have been progressing from bad to worse day by day. Governor Fubara who has faced all kinds of humiliations, including being locked out of the House of Assembly Complex, faces a possible impeachment from office.
While not a few people, including Rivers State indigenes are pleading and appealing and hoping for peace, the Commander of the opposition against Fubara, Minister Wike, has disclosed one of the reasons why it is impossible for him to forgive his estranged political godson, Fubara, or make peace with him.
While fielding questions with Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike told them that Governor Fubara had the guts to humiliate him in his (Wike’s) family, by sacking a Chief and installing another in his place.
Wike: “Sometimes, when you people talk about this peace, you don’t take everything. You don’t just sit outside to talk.
“Look at me, a former Governor, Minister of the FCT, Governor Fubara had the temerity, the audacity, because he has money from Federation Account, because he has more money from the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to enter my own family to remove a Chief and make another person a Chief.”
Wike and his loyalists who now control the Legislative Arm of Government as well as the Local Government Arm are bent on going for the broke.
On Wednesday after Members of the Assembly slammed the Assembly gate against Governor Fubara and denied him access, thus effectively stopping him from re-presenting the 2025 Budget as ruled by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, Wike reacted by saying: “Heavens will not fall if Fubara us impeached.”
“Tinubu surprised me. APC is dead. It is now controlled by a select few from Lagos”
Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State who recently dumped the ruling Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, stated that he consulted former President, Muhammadu Buhari before defecting.
El-Rufai, one of the founding members of the APC left the Party citing unhealthy situations.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said he had a discussion with Buhari about his decision to leave the APC and his plan to join the SDP.
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 BBC further asked him if he had any political godfather and El-Rufai responded: “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.”
Speaking futher, the former Governor stated that he had no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election, but was surprised at his actions.
He 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.”
El-Rufai said he left the APC because the party had deviated from its founding principles.
“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.
