El-Rufai says Bakare led him into politics

DDM News

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that Pastor Tunde Bakare influenced his entry into politics.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), he stated that Bakare introduced him to former President Muhammadu Buhari before he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

El-Rufai clarified that his decision to join APC was not because of Buhari but due to Bakare’s encouragement.

Speaking with BBC Hausa on Thursday, he explained that Bakare “dragged” him into the political arena.

He recently left APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) because he believes the ruling party has lost direction.

According to him, APC has abandoned its founding principles and is now driven by personal interests and financial gains.

“The government is now commercialized, and everything has a price tag,” El-Rufai stated during the interview.

He accused APC leaders of sidelining justice and neglecting loyal party members who contributed to its success.

“Those who worked hard for the party were ignored instead of being compensated,” he lamented.

He alleged that political appointments in APC are often given to individuals from Lagos while others are disregarded.

El-Rufai and other concerned party members expressed their dissatisfaction, but their complaints were ignored.

He stated that APC is no longer the party they originally joined, as it has lost its credibility.

Due to this, he decided to consult Pastor Bakare before making his final decision to leave APC.

He emphasized that Bakare was the one who encouraged him to join APC in the first place.

As a matter of respect, he informed Buhari about his decision to leave the party.

“I sought Buhari’s blessings and prayers before leaving,” El-Rufai disclosed.

According to him, Buhari assured him of his support and offered prayers for his future endeavors.

El-Rufai stated that Buhari now serves as an elder statesman, while politicians like him remain active in governance.

His defection to SDP reflects his discontent with APC’s leadership and internal policies.

He believes that SDP aligns more with his political ideals and aspirations for Nigeria.

El-Rufai’s departure from APC adds to growing concerns over internal conflicts within the party.

His exit highlights the increasing dissatisfaction among party members ahead of the next elections.

The former governor remains vocal about his concerns regarding governance and political integrity in Nigeria.

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