Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has candidly admitted that he was naive in his criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The lawmaker, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, revealed that his views on the past administration shifted after a pivotal moment in his political journey.
Speaking openly, El-Rufai acknowledged that his earlier criticisms were driven by youthful naivety and a lack of understanding of governance. The turning point for him came when he witnessed his father, Nasir El-Rufai, attending a political meeting with Jonathan, a former president known for his loss in the 2015 elections. El-Rufai recalled the moment:
“I visited my father after I became a member of the House of Representatives. I saw him wearing a polo shirt and asked, ‘Where are you going?’ He told me he was going to meet President Jonathan. I paused, remembering how, in my naivety, I had been very vocal about criticising Jonathan’s leadership. I even forgot, in my youthful ignorance, that we had governance back then. I said, ‘When you see him, tell him I am very sorry. I am wiser now.’”
The lawmaker further reflected on Jonathan’s political legacy, particularly the dignified manner in which he left office following the 2015 election defeat, a rare occurrence in many African nations. El-Rufai praised the former president’s commitment to democratic principles, stating:
“It takes a lot, particularly in Africa, to lose an election and leave. Jonathan did that. I now see that the system is the problem.”
As a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai also commented on electoral reforms in Nigeria. He expressed support for reforms that aim to improve the integrity of elections, including the electronic transmission of results. However, he made it clear that he would oppose any proposed amendment that would allow voting without a voter’s card, calling it a step backward in the electoral process.
“There has been significant progress in electoral reforms, and if there is any truth to the rumour about amending the electoral process to allow people to vote without a voter’s card, I will vote against it,” he affirmed.
El-Rufai’s reflections on his past actions serve as a reminder of the importance of introspection and growth in the political arena, highlighting the need for young leaders to embrace learning and maturity.