In an interview with Seun Okinbaloye, Bello El-Rufai, the representative for Kaduna North Federal Constituency, revealed that his father, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, had initially turned down a ministerial position. Nasir El-Rufai was hesitant to accept the nomination despite pleadings from family members, including Bello himself, Governor Uba Sani, and former Commissioner Hafiz Bayero.
Nigeria suffered a blow when El-Rufai’s nomination was rejected by the Senate. He stressed that Nigeria lost an efficient administrator in his father, who was prepared to make difficult choices to deal with pressing issues facing the country, according to Vanguard Newspaper. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone aspires to be a minister, Nasir El-Rufai’s reluctance was a genuine disinterest in the office.
El-Rufai’s apprehension, as revealed by his son, was not about personal ambition but about his belief in the necessity of genuine change. He intended to focus on critical issues like power and gas, emphasizing their pivotal role in resolving Nigeria’s electricity challenges. Despite his reservations, El-Rufai was willing to collaborate with the government to effect meaningful change.
The disappointment over El-Rufai’s unfulfilled potential in a ministerial role resonates with Bello, who views his father as a capable leader dedicated to addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of political decision-making and underscores the importance of genuine commitment to national development.
He said: “The President wanted to work with him. It was clear when he came to Kaduna. We also had an idea of what his portfolio would be. It was meant to be power and gas. He insisted to the President in private that Nigeria would not sort its electricity issue if gas was not put under the other components of power.
“The irony is that nothing has been rougher than the lack of power in the last two weeks. I’m disappointed because Nigeria lost an effective administrator in my father, one who is willing to make difficult decisions to solve a problem.”
