Muhammadu Buhari, former president of Nigeria, says he remains a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

In a statement on Thursday, Garba Shehu, the former president’s spokesperson, said he would never turn his back on the ruling party that gave him the platform to become the country’s president.

 

“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 said 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 comes hours after Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, said he consulted Buhari before resigning from his membership in the APC.

 

On Monday, el-Rufai announced that he had joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

 

Speaking in an interview on BBC Hausa, el-Rufai said he does not make a major decision without first consulting 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.