El-Rufai Apologizes for Past Criticism of Ex-President Jonathan, Cites Maturity and Reflection

By Bashir Muhammad

Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly apologized for his past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan, attributing his earlier stance to youthful inexperience and immaturity.

In a candid revelation, El-Rufai recounted a recent encounter with his father, who was on his way to meet Jonathan for political consultations. The moment, he said, caused him to reflect deeply on his previous harsh opinions.

“I visited my father after becoming a federal lawmaker and saw him wearing a polo shirt. I asked, ‘Where are you going?’ and he said, ‘To see President Jonathan,’” El-Rufai recalled.
“I paused. Back when I was naive and driven by ego or the desire for attention, I used to be very critical of President Jonathan. I even forgot, as many young people do, that we actually had governance then.”

He continued, “I told my father, ‘Please, when you see him, tell him I am very sorry. I am wiser now.’”

El-Rufai praised Jonathan’s statesmanship, especially his unprecedented decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election—a move he described as rare in African politics. He acknowledged that, with greater understanding, he now appreciates the governance strides made under Jonathan’s leadership.

Turning to Nigeria’s democratic processes, El-Rufai welcomed reforms such as the electronic transmission of election results, describing them as crucial steps forward. However, he expressed strong opposition to any proposed amendment that would allow voting without a permanent voter’s card (PVC), warning that such a move could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.