I was naive – Bello El-Rufai apologizes for criticizing Jonathan

 

House of Representatives member Bello El-Rufai has expressed regret over his past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing his actions as naive

The lawmaker, who represents Kaduna North and is the son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, made the confession during an interview on Politics Today aired Thursday on Channels Television.

According to Bello, he came to appreciate Jonathan’s leadership in hindsight, realizing that the former president provided what now seems like good governance.

He recalled a moment that prompted his reflection — when he saw his father preparing to visit Jonathan for political consultation.

“I used to be very active in criticizing President Jonathan,” he admitted. “But when I saw my father going to consult him, I told him, ‘Please, when you see him, tell him I am very sorry. I’m wiser now.’”

He went on to praise Jonathan’s democratic spirit, saying, “It takes a lot in Africa to lose an election and step down. He did that.”

Bello acknowledged that the nation’s political system itself poses challenges, and that many young people, himself included, often fail to see the broader picture until later.

Although his father once encouraged Jonathan to contest the 2011 election, tensions between the El-Rufai family and the former president escalated after Namadi Sambo became Vice President, leading to heavy public criticism of Jonathan’s administration.