Buhari affirms loyalty to APC, says he will never turn his back on the party

• El-Rufai said he paid Buhari a visit last Friday and informed him of his decision to leave the APC.
• According to him, Buhari is always in the know when he makes such decisions.

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president, has affirmed his continued loyalty and dedication to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political party he remains a part of.

In a Thursday statement, Garba Shehu, his former spokesperson, emphasised that Buhari would never abandon the governing party that provided him with the platform to lead Nigeria.

“I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Shehu quoted Buhari in the statement.

“Without referring to any individual, a cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by party leaders at various levels, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated what he said times without number that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party,” the statement reads.

“He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back on the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularize it.”

Shehu noted that Buhari “has nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave him before and during his tenure as president, which he considers as the highest honour, and would never ask for anything more”.

The statement was issued shortly after Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna’s former governor, disclosed that he consulted Buhari before formally resigning from his membership in the APC.

On Monday, el-Rufai revealed that he had officially become a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marking a significant shift in his political affiliation.

During an interview with BBC Hausa, el-Rufai explained that he does not make major decisions without first seeking the opinion and counsel of Buhari.

“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,” el-Rufai said in Hausa.