El-Rufai’s envisioned portfolio included overseeing power and gas sectors, emphasizing their interconnectedness in resolving Nigeria’s electricity challenges. Despite his reservations, El-Rufai’s commitment to addressing national issues remained evident, reflecting his willingness to make tough decisions. Bello expressed disappointment at the loss of his father’s administrative prowess, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with power shortages as a testament to the need for effective leadership.
He said, “I was in the National Assembly when my father’s nomination was rejected. It was very disappointing and still is. Myself, the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, and one of my father’s commissioners, Mr Hafiz Bayero, played a key role in convincing my father to work with this current government.
“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.
“To be fair to him, he didn’t want the job. We convinced him that, with the antecedents of Asiwaju, he would create an excellent team as he did in Lagos.
Representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Bello El-Rufai shared that his father, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, initially declined a ministerial position. Speaking in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye, According to Vanguard Newspaper, Bello disclosed that his father never sought a ministerial role, underscoring Nigeria’s loss of an efficient administrator when the Senate rejected his appointment.
El-Rufai’s reluctance persisted until Bello and other family members, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and former commissioner Hafiz Bayero, persuaded him to accept President Bola Tinubu’s nomination. Despite Nigeria’s common perception of ministerial ambitions, El-Rufai prioritized other considerations over the role, reluctant to join the government.
