Bello El-Rufai, a House of Representatives member and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed regret over his past criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. He admitted his views were “naive” at the time.
El-Rufai, who represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency, revealed that his perspective shifted after he witnessed his father engaging in political discussions with the former president.
“I visited my father after I became a member [of the House] and I saw him wearing a polo shirt and I said, ‘where are you going?'” El-Rufai recounted. “And he said he was going to see President Jonathan. I paused because when I was naive, or when I thought ego or gratification mattered, I used to be very active in criticising President Jonathan.”
He added, “I even forgot in my naivety, as many young people do, that we had governance then, and I found my father saying that he is going to consult President Jonathan. I said, ‘please when you see him, tell him I am very sorry, I am wiser now.'”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker lauded Jonathan’s democratic conduct, stating, “It takes a lot, particularly in Africa, to lose an election and leave; he did that.”
El-Rufai also touched on electoral reforms, noting improvements in the system. He affirmed his support for advancements like the electronic transmission of election results. However, he stated he would vote against any proposed electoral amendment that would permit voting without a voter’s card, if such a rumour proved true.
