March 13, (THEWILL) – Former President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating unequivocally that he remains a loyal member of the ruling party and will continue to support its growth.
Buhari’s declaration comes in response to remarks by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed in a BBC Hausa interview on Wednesday that he consulted Buhari before defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai had described Buhari as his political godfather, asserting that he would not have made such a move without the former president’s consent.
“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,” El-Rufai had stated.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari distanced himself from El-Rufai’s defection, maintaining that his allegiance to the APC remains steadfast.
“I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Buhari said.
The former president described his two-term leadership under the APC as the “highest honour” of his political career, adding that he harbours no further ambitions within the party beyond supporting its continued success.
“At present, I have nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave me before and during my tenure as president,” he said.
Buhari also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the founding fathers of the APC, stressing that their efforts in building a strong party to safeguard democracy and uphold the constitution must be preserved.
His remarks come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with defections and strategic repositioning shaping Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
