Executive Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai speaks during an interview with Reuters in Kaduna, Nigeria November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde - S1BEUKTKGYAA
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has stated that he never betrayed former Vice President and ex-PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, El-Rufai expressed his wish for opposition figures like Atiku, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he recently joined after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reflecting on his past support for the current administration, El-Rufai said:
“What pains me is that the government we backed, believing it would perform well, has failed. We had faith in Tinubu’s ability based on his work in Lagos despite challenges, including the well-known Chicago issue. But in the end, he disappointed us.”
Addressing claims of betrayal, he said:
“I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar. Our relationship wasn’t built on politics but on work. If I see someone failing in their duties, regardless of who they are, I will speak up. I did it with Buhari, even taking him to court over the naira redesign policy.
“When Obasanjo and Atiku had their issues, those of us working with Obasanjo analyzed the situation and concluded that Obasanjo was more in the right. It was never about North or South; it was about who was right. If I truly betrayed Atiku, why are we still aligned today?”
El-Rufai concluded by emphasizing his hope for a united opposition under the SDP:
“I pray that all key opposition figures—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—will join the SDP.”
