Former President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement shared by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesman during his tenure as Nigeria’s president, reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement comes in the wake of El-Rufai’s claim that he sought Buhari’s permission to leave the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The statement said, “Without referring to any individual, group, or specific issue currently being discussed by party leaders, former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated — just as he has done many times before — that he remains a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and wishes to be addressed as such.”
The statement through Garba Sheu further explained that, “He wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never abandon the party that gave him two terms in office and that he will do whatever he can to promote it.”
Garba Sheu quoted Buhari as saying, “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 that, at present, he holds deep appreciation for the support the party gave him before and during his tenure as president — an honour he considers the highest — and that he would never ask for anything more.”
The statement continues, “The efforts made by the party’s founders to establish a strong political movement that upholds our constitution and democracy as a system of government are worthy sacrifices that should be cherished and nurtured.”