A member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), clarifying that his political alignment remains distinct from his father’s party affiliation.
Hon Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North, issued the statement via his X (formerly Twitter) account. His comments were a direct response to an online accusation that he was aligning with his father, former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is a member of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In his post, Bello El-Rufai balanced personal family respect with explicit political allegiance. “I love my father. I respect Asiwaju,” he stated, referring to President Bola Tinubu by his widely used honorific. “I will never do anything against my party’s interest as long as I am a member. But I will never compromise my principles.”
The lawmaker anchored his position to his oath of office, stating it was sworn “with the Qur’an, the Constitution, and the APC Constitution.” He framed any challenge to his stance as a matter for divine and electoral judgment, adding, “God is bigger than PMB, Asiwaju, Mallam, and Buhari, and it is God and Kaduna North who will judge me.”
His statement addressed a specific query from an X user, @utddiehard_, which prompted the clarification. Bello El-Rufai concluded with a firm warning to critics, promising that any attempt to pressure him would be met with resistance.
This episode highlights the complex interplay of personal lineage and political party loyalty in Nigeria’s contemporary landscape. As the son of a prominent political figure who now operates within a rival party framework, Bello El-Rufai’s declaration serves to solidify his own political identity within the APC’s structure. His insistence on principle over paternal political association underscores the ongoing navigation of dynastic politics and party discipline in the country.
The reiteration of commitment comes amid the APC’s continued governance at the federal level. For the constituents of Kaduna North, the statement reinforces their representative’s stated alignment with the ruling party’s parliamentary bloc, a key consideration in legislative engagements and constituency resource allocation. The episode also illustrates how Nigerian politicians increasingly use social media platforms to directly manage perceptions and counter narratives in real-time.
