Bello El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, revealed in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye that his father, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, initially had no desire for a ministerial position.
According to Bello, Nigeria lost a valuable administrator when his father’s appointment as minister was rejected by the Senate. He recounted the disappointment he felt when his father’s nomination was turned down, highlighting the efforts made by himself, Governor Uba Sani, and others to persuade Nasir El-Rufai to accept the nomination from President Bola Tinubu.
Reflecting on his father’s reluctance, Bello stated, “He (Nasir) didn’t want it. It’s hard for Nigerians to believe it because they feel it is everyone in Nigeria who wants to be a minister.” He emphasized that despite public perceptions, Nasir El-Rufai was a simple person who cared little for changing people’s opinions about him.
Bello shed light on Nasir El-Rufai’s views on governance and his vision for addressing Nigeria’s challenges. He mentioned that his father advocated for a holistic approach to the power sector, emphasizing the importance of incorporating gas into the energy equation to tackle electricity shortages effectively.
Despite facing criticism and stereotypes, Bello defended his father’s character, portraying him as someone who is misunderstood. He refuted claims of religious bias, citing examples of Nasir El-Rufai’s interactions with individuals from diverse religious backgrounds and his impartial approach to governance.
Acknowledging his father’s imperfections, Bello admitted that Nasir El-Rufai was flawed but asserted that his commitment to making difficult decisions for the betterment of Nigeria was undeniable.