Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has disclosed that former President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged him to run for governorship.
Speaking on this, El-Rufai hinted at the possibility of decamping to another political party if the All Progressives Congress, or APC, fails to defend its ideals and beliefs.
During Prime Time on Arise TV Monday evening, he stated, “I have never had an ambition. You can ask Buhari, he forced me to run for governor of Kaduna State because I was afraid of running.”.
“I’m a worker. Others run for office, and when difficult assignments arise, they look for people like me to get the job done. Myself, Oby, and Ngozi are not the type to stand on a podium and tell people to vote for us. That’s not our nature; that’s not our training.
“After we formed the APC, Buhari called me and said, ‘Go and run for governor.’ I said, ‘No, sir, I don’t have that skill set—my skills are technocratic.’ But he insisted.
“We had a few conversations before I finally agreed. I will remain in politics for life, but that doesn’t mean I will be contesting elections. If I can’t find the values I stand for in the APC, I may have to find another platform to pursue them.
“I hope the party leadership meets and corrects its course, but for now, there are many of us who no longer recognise the APC.
“Sooner or later, if the APC doesn’t sort itself out and return to the values I stand for, I will find another platform with similar values and move on.”
