I Was Naive To Have Criticised Jonathan, I Asked My Father To Apologise On My Behalf — Bello El-Rufai Makes U-Turn
Bello El-Rufai, member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly acknowledged his earlier naivety in criticizing former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking on a special edition of Channels Television on Thursday, Bello shared that his perspective shifted after witnessing his father seek a meeting with Jonathan for political consultations. This encounter led him to reflect deeply on his past views.
“I told my father that when he sees Jonathan, he should please tell him I’m very sorry, that I’m wiser now,” Bello revealed. He admitted that his previous harsh criticisms were made without fully grasping the complexities involved in leadership and governance. Over time, maturity and experience have reshaped his outlook on politics.
Bello recounted, “I visited my father after I became a member and saw him wearing a polo shirt. I asked where he was going, and he said he was going to see President Jonathan. I paused because, in my youthful naivety, I used to be very active in criticizing President Jonathan.”
He added, “I even forgot, like many young people do, that there was governance then. Seeing my father consult President Jonathan made me realize I was wrong. I asked him to convey my apology to the former president.”
Highlighting Jonathan’s dignity in conceding defeat, Bello said, “The system is a problem, but particularly in Africa, it takes a lot to lose an election and leave peacefully—he did that.”
On electoral matters, the APC lawmaker expressed support for ongoing reforms, especially the electronic transmission of results. However, he opposed rumors of an amendment that would allow voting without a voter card, stating he would reject such changes.
Bello El-Rufai’s remarks reflect a personal journey from youthful criticism to political maturity, coupled with his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
