Bello, one of the sons of former FCT Minister and Kaduna State Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, tells ARUKAINO UMUKORO about his father’s political journey
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Bello El-Rufai. I’m a communications consultant. I’m a son of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. I schooled in Togo and later went to Atlantic College, Wales, UK, where I obtained my International Baccalaureate diploma. Then, I went to a liberal arts college in Massachusetts, US. Afterwards, I went to Georgetown University, US, for my master’s degree.
Has your dad always been a politician?
No, he has not. He got involved in the public sector in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. Before then, he was a private businessman. He was also a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He was recently elected as the governor of Kaduna State.
Can you describe some particular interesting experiences growing up?
We had very many interesting experiences while growing up. I grew up in Kaduna. We moved to Jos much later. Then, we moved to Abuja when my father joined the public service. We took family trips regularly. For example, we used to go to a place called the Hilltop Hotel in Jos. We also used to visit Jakaranda, a resort in Kaduna.
How do people react when they hear your surname?
I guess the reaction depends on the people in question. My friends don’t see it that way. But, some other people react, either positively or negatively. Some people come to me and tell me they are inspired by my father. I get looks from those that don’t like the name, but I wouldn’t say I have been approached in a negative way due to my surname.
Would you say your father’s name has opened doors for you?
It certainly has. I would say his name has opened doors in terms of my exposure to stakeholders both in the public and private sectors. It has been more positive and it is not just restricted to Nigeria.
Can you share some of those experiences?
In my sophomore year, I worked at the National Assembly, in the office of the Chief Whip. He is the current Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for my father. But with all humility, I think my CV is good enough.
In your younger days, how did he discipline his children whenever they erred?
It depends on the wrong one did. I could recall when something really bad would attract a serious punishment. But most times, he is a talker. He would make you realise what you did was wrong and life goes on.
Did he spare the rod?
Yes, he did. He has used it before, but on very few occasions. I think he used it on me once. On hindsight, I deserved it.
Your father is now the Governor-elect of Kaduna State. He has always been vocal about national and political issues. How would you describe him as a father?
He is a great father and a relaxed person. He is down-to-earth. He is not your stereotypical ‘Nigerian’ parent. I’m not stereotyping all Nigerian parents because I really don’t know all Nigerian parents, but my relationship with my father is, to an extent, liberal. I can talk to him about anything. We laugh and we chat a lot about things. I know a lot of my friends do not relate like this with their parents. He is not materialistic; the only thing that excites him are technological gadgets, such as the new iPhone, or a new computer. He is not into watches or shoes. He is quite simple. He is hard working too and he puts 100 per cent into everything he does. Personally, I believe he will do the same when he is sworn in as governor of Kaduna State, by the grace of God. I also hope the people of Kaduna State will support him and be patient with him to uplift our state. We will certainly do the same as a family in terms of encouraging him.
Your father wrote a book, the Accidental Public Servant, how did he react to what people said about it, especially his critics?
He said those who had a different version could go ahead and write their own book. It’s a free country. The reason why the book took many people by surprise is that most Nigerian public servants do not write about their experiences, and disclose what they learnt while in public service. I think young people have a lot to learn from their mistakes and successes. But many were shocked by the fact that he disclosed a lot. On another note, I think more leaders should write about their experiences in public service, like former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Watch.
Your father uses the social media frequently. Is he the one responsible for his tweets and Facebook posts?
Most of it, yes. He tweets himself certainly. He also has curators that help him with the content once in a while. But I would say, during the pre-campaign period, 90 per cent of the content on his Facebook, Twitter page and his website, el-rufai.org, were created and pushed out by him. He is really active online. He tweets regularly. Now, whether that will change when he becomes governor, I do not know, and I’m interested in finding out.
Can you recollect the moment he won the election and got a call from the current Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Yero?
In all honesty, I was not there. He took the call from His Excellency, Governor Yero, in his campaign office. And from what Mallam told me, it was just a normal conversation. He thanked the governor for the phone call and he prayed for a smooth transition. One must commend the governor as well for the call. It certainly enriches the democratic process. President Goodluck Jonathan started it and it blew across the country.
They call your father ‘Mai Rusau,’ in Kaduna State. What was the genesis of the name?
Mai Rusau, which means ‘the demolisher,’ was a name the Peoples Democratic Party campaign organisation tried to attack him with during the campaign, by claiming that he was coming to Kaduna State to demolish houses. Unfortunately, the people of the state embraced that name and started calling him the ‘demolisher of the PDP,’ and that the demolisher would further develop the state. It’s a beautiful irony.
Some of his critics still claim he might also demolish houses like he did in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. What did he tell you about that?
I think when he is eventually sworn in as governor, he will have to see the facts on the ground first. Then, he will consult with his advisers and commissioners, and take the best decisions. He is not committed to demolishing houses. Like he said, Abuja is different from Kaduna. What he has told me is that what Kaduna needs right now are better hospitals, schools etc. The main focus for Kaduna is social development and tackling poverty. But for a clear answer, I’d have to refer you to him or his manifesto.
He was quite critical of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. What did he tell you about his criticisms?
He was a harsh critic of President Jonathan, as were many people, including myself, but I do not think it was personal. Many people saw how our country was going in the wrong direction and it was just quite difficult to contain one’s emotions when you have a situation where many people have been displaced from their homes and about 15,000 people have died from the insurgency. I think a lot of emotions might have led to criticisms that many Nigerians considered to be exaggerated or out of place. But, I’m not the one to explain the nature of his criticisms. In fact, I’m the wrong person to do it, because I was equally a harsh critic of President Jonathan.
What are your father’s hobbies?
He loves table tennis. He is very good at it. He loves to read. Our entire family sometimes sit down at the table just to read. He has a very extensive library. He is a book addict. He likes reading autobiographies. He also enjoys spending quality time with us, his children. And of course, he loves tweeting.
What are his likes and dislikes?
He likes straightforward and talented people, regardless of where they are from or their religion. If you come to him with a brilliant idea, he would listen to it and give his full support. He says young people must harness their potential. He doesn’t like dishonesty. He can’t stand that. That might explain why he is vocal about challenging the status quo in the country, because to a certain extent, the status quo is a dishonest lifestyle. That explains his anger towards the system.
Your dad comes across as a very passionate person. Some of his critics have alleged that he is a religious fanatic, especially after a controversial tweet on Christianity. Is he really a fanatic?
My father is certainly not a fanatic. He believes that one’s religion is between one and God. One cannot judge a person because of that person’s religion or tribe. His tweet about Christianity was a retweet. For those that don’t know Twitter that much, if somebody posts content, and I retweet it, I’m not the one that said it. So, a retweet is different from posting content. I think it is essential to clarify that. Also, the election results from Kaduna State vindicated him (that he is not a fanatic). Voters in Southern Kaduna who are mostly Christians came out to vote for him en masse because they know he will perform, they know he is just and will be honest with them, and he certainly is. I laugh when some people online say my father is a fanatic. It’s ridiculous. He’s not the type. That’s was how some people tried to bring down Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) that he was a fanatic, but it was totally baseless. My dad has worked very well with Christians. The people who trump the religion card do it to divide us, but ultimately what matters to leaders such as Gen. Buhari (retd.), my father, the likes of the Fasholas, the Oby Ezekwesilis, and many more, is performance, it’s not what God one decides to worship. That is one’s choice at the end of the day.
Would you say your dad has a thick skin towards criticisms?
Yes, he does. One has to. Even the comments I read online sometimes has made me develop a thick skin. Some people just insult one baselessly.
Is your dad a social person?
Not really. He’s not a party type or the event going type. I got married recently and he was there. He was very happy and proud. Although he is not the party-type, he is a good conversationalist. He could sit with you and have a good conversation.
Being a busy man, how does he create time for family?
He does his best. He maintains a very good relationship with us. There was a time I came to see him and told him I needed to talk to him, he left the room and it was just the two of us, we talked about many things. We are very close. I can discuss anything with my father. He does the same with all my siblings.
Did he influence your career choices or encourage you or your siblings to go into politics?
No, he didn’t. I studied International Relations. It was only natural. The el-Rufais is not a household where one says, ‘I want him to be a mechanical engineer,’ no, it doesn’t work like that.
How would you describe his relationship with your mum?
They have known each other since they were 16. They were friends before they got married. They have a very good relationship.
What is his favourite food?
I know what his least favourite food is, but as for his favourite, I really don’t know. I would rather not say his least favourite food though.
Does he have a favourite drink?
None that I know of. But he likes freshly squeezed orange juice. I don’t know if that is his favourite drink.
Your father was once alleged to have ties with Boko Haram. How did he react to this allegation?
He just shrugged it off. It was obvious he didn’t have any ties with Boko Haram. But the irony of it was that during that period when his critics accused him and the All Progressives Congress of that, the question some of us asked was, if the APC was funding Boko Haram and the PDP was in government, then why wouldn’t they question them, arrest them and charge them to court? It was a baseless accusation. It was very unfair to tag opposition leaders as the people behind Boko Haram, when everyday somebody was dying from the insurgency. It was quite tragic.
Your sister passed on a few years ago. How has your father dealt with the loss?
God gives and God takes. When God gives, one celebrates, and when He takes, one prays for guidance, and for patience, because one can’t question the will of God. So, ultimately, a Muslim must come to terms with death, as something that is inevitable and is a part of life. But, it was tough because he’s always been close to my sister. Later, I also lost my brother; he was close to him too. I can’t imagine what he and my mother have had to go through.
How has the family dealt with it?
Well, it’s tough. Personally, I have not gotten over it. I pray for them on a daily basis. But there is nothing special about the el-Rufais; we are just a family like any other family. Other families have lost siblings too. All we can do is to pray for the soul of the dead. And I think that’s what he continues to do on a daily basis.
Did he plan to run for governorship in Kaduna State?
It doesn’t work like that. I think I and others talked about him running for governorship before he thought of running. His main goal was to ensure that Gen. Buhari won the 2015 presidential elections and was elected as president. But certainly we, as a family, were all excited when he was elected as governor.
As a former FCT minister, how do you think he will perform as Kaduna State governor?
I think he has learnt from his experience as FCT minister. It was eight years ago. He has learnt more, and he still has the same principles he had back then. But then, Kaduna is totally different from Abuja. It’s a totally different dynamic. I am very optimistic, like the people of Kaduna, that he will perform well. He is a competent man, and a compassionate father, but I also think the people of Kaduna, Nigerians, and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari himself know that there are tasks ahead; there is a lot of work to do. While it is good to be optimistic, it is even better to be cautiously optimistic. But, I have no doubt that he will see to the development of Kaduna State.
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