Bello el-Rufai, a federal lawmaker representing Kaduna North, has expressed regret over his past harsh judgment of former President Goodluck Jonathan, admitting he was too inexperienced at the time to appreciate the complexities of governance.
Speaking during a special Democracy Day broadcast on Channels Television yesterday, the son of former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai acknowledged that his criticisms of the Jonathan administration were misguided.
“In my naivety, like many young people, I didn’t realise there was actual governance happening,” he admitted. “I even forgot that we had governance then.”
Bello also recalled a conversation with his father in which he conveyed an apology to the former president.
“I told my father, when you meet him [Jonathan], please tell him I’m sorry. I’m wiser now.”
The lawmaker praised Jonathan for peacefully relinquishing power after losing the 2015 election, a move he described as rare in African politics.
“It takes a lot, particularly in Africa, to lose an election and leave. He (Jonathan) did that,” Bello said.
Commenting on Nigeria’s electoral process, Bello commended the strides made in reform but stated his firm opposition to proposals allowing citizens to vote without a voter card.
His remarks come amid growing speculation around his father’s involvement in a potential political coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Nasir el-Rufai’s political alliance efforts follow tensions with the presidency, especially after his son’s vocal disapproval of Tinubu surged following his failed ministerial nomination.