- Bello El-Rufai dismissed speculation about leaving the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that social media pressures would not influence him
- He highlighted his electoral mandate in Kaduna North, where he won all 12 wards with 51,052 votes, and insisted his loyalty was first to his constituents and the Kaduna State administration
- Bello added that he would only consider leaving the APC if instructed by his father, Nasir El-Rufai, reaffirming respect for political ethics and collaboration with senior party officials
Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has firmly dismissed speculation that he may defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker representing Kaduna North reacted after a social media user urged him to leave the APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a strongly worded response shared online, Bello made it clear that his political decisions would not be dictated by pressure from social media commentators.
Citing his electoral mandate, Bello reminded critics of his victory in the 2023 National Assembly elections. He noted that he secured 51,052 votes to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samaila, who polled 34,808 votes. He further highlighted that he set a record as the first candidate to win all 12 wards in Kaduna North.
“The mandate belongs to the 51,052 people who elected me,” Bello stated, insisting that his loyalty rests with his constituents rather than with online voices seeking to influence his political direction.
However, he added that there was one circumstance under which he would consider leaving the APC, a directive from his father, whom he repeatedly referred to as “Mallam”. “If Mallam asks me to leave the APC, I’ll resign the seat tonight. I can be non-partisan. My people adore me,” he wrote.
In a pointed challenge to the social media user, Bello declared, “I’ll send 10 million to you tonight if you can convince the 51,052 people that gave me this mandate. Do you have an app to confirm?”
Despite reaffirming his deep respect for his father, Bello underscored his loyalty to the Kaduna State administration under Governor Uba Sani, whom he described as his “boss”. He ruled out any act of disloyalty, stating that he would never publicly oppose the governor or undermine his leadership.
He revealed that after recently attending a public engagement with his father, he proceeded directly to a Kaduna APC caucus meeting alongside the Speaker and Governor Sani — a move he described as deliberate and symbolic.
Bello also pointed to opportunities he has gained within the APC, including collaborating with senior officials such as Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Addressing political ethics, he concluded: “I will never publicly go against governor and I will not plan his demise. It is called honour.”