Bello El-Rufai, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has publicly expressed regret over his previous criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a candid interview aired on Channels Television on Thursday, El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, admitted that his earlier stance stemmed from youthful inexperience and political naivety.
Reflecting on a recent encounter with his father, Bello recounted a moment that triggered self-reflection. He explained that he was taken aback when his father mentioned he was heading out to visit former President Jonathan for political consultations. According to Bello, the experience made him reassess his past judgments.
“I visited my father after I became a member of the National Assembly and saw him wearing a polo shirt. I asked, ‘Where are you going?’ and he replied, ‘To see President Jonathan.’ That moment made me pause," he said.
“Back then, I was overly critical of President Jonathan, largely out of ignorance and self-importance, as many young people often are. I had failed to acknowledge that, under Jonathan, there was governance. So, I told my father, ‘When you see him, please extend my apologies. I’m wiser now.’”
Bello praised Jonathan’s democratic values, especially for his decision to peacefully relinquish power after losing the 2015 election an act he described as rare in African politics.
“It takes an extraordinary sense of statesmanship in Africa to lose an election and willingly hand over power. President Jonathan did that, and history will remember him for it.”
In addition to reflecting on his past political views, El-Rufai emphasized his support for ongoing electoral reforms. He reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives like the electronic transmission of results, which he believes are crucial for strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
However, he raised concerns about unverified reports suggesting a possible amendment to allow voting without a Permanent Voter Card (PVC). Bello stated unequivocally that he would oppose any such legislation.
“If it’s true that there’s a proposed amendment to permit voting without a PVC, I will not support it. We must uphold the integrity of our elections.”
Bello El-Rufai's comments mark a notable moment of introspection from a young politician, suggesting a maturing perspective on governance, leadership, and the importance of democratic values.
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