In spite of his recent reaffirmation of loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), indications have emerged that former President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the recent defection the former governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the moves by some of his allies to do same.
For months now, there had been scheming and political realignment by opposition leaders and aggrieved members of the APC to form an alliance to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
One of the arrow heads of the movement, El-Rufai had during an interview with BBC Hausa, claimed Buhari was among those he consulted before making the decision to dump the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“I left the APC with his (Buhari) full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party because I consulted with him on all my matters,” he had said.
But Buhari in a statement by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, said he won’t turn his back on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The former President has made clear that he would never turn his back to the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularise it. I am an APC member and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” he added.
The former president maintained that he had nothing but gratitude for the support the party gave him before and during his tenure as President.
Based on this, the ruling party commended Buhari for his reaffirmation of loyalty to the party.
However, a chieftain of the party said the former President was aware of the He added that the former President was also aware of the defection of Buhari to SDP despite feigning ignorance.
The party chieftain who preferred anonymity admitted that the way the party treated El-Rufai was bad, considering his contribution to the electoral success of Tinubu.
The part chieftain blamed the treatment meted out to El-Rufai on the Cabal that initially hijacked the government of Tinubu.
He noted: “Those cabals in the early days of Asiwaju’s government caused these problems for us. El-Rufai was badly treated. What they did was not good and it will affect us.”
He said the electoral victory of Tinubu in 2027 has just been made difficult if the ongoing political realignment was anything to go by.
The northern politician said while Tinubu would still win the second time, it would be a difficult road to success.
Asked if the President was aware of the ongoing realignment and the combination of opposition forces against him, he said: “He is aware but we will try to see how to deflate them. But it will be tough. Second term is always difficult. It will be tough but we will try to win.”
When asked what he made of the statement from Buhari where he reiterated his commitment to the party, the party chieftain stated categorically that the former President lied, saying he was aware of every move.
He stated: “He lied. He is aware of the SDP move. They are regrouping. Buhari is with them. El-Rufai is not alone. He is aware but we will try to see how to deflate them.”