Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, has publicly expressed regret and apologized to former President Goodluck Jonathan for his past criticisms of Jonathan's administration. The lawmaker, who is the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, made this significant apology during an appearance on Channels Television’s 'Politics Today' program on Thursday evening, acknowledging that his earlier critical stance was a product of youthful inexperience and naivety.

El-Rufai explained that, in his younger days, he had failed to adequately appreciate the quality of governance during Goodluck Jonathan's tenure as Nigeria's President, which spanned from 2010 to 2015. He described this oversight as a consequence of his immaturity, stating, "I even forgot in my naivety, as many young people do, that we had governance then." The catalyst for his profound change in perspective occurred when he observed his father, a key figure in the political coalition that led to Jonathan's defeat in 2015, preparing to visit the former President for political consultation.

Recounting the pivotal moment, Bello El-Rufai detailed: "There was a time I paid my father a visit and noticed that he was going out. I asked where he was going. And he said he was going to see President Jonathan, and I paused because when I was naive or when I thought ego or gratification mattered, I used to be very active in criticising President Jonathan." Struck by this realization and his father's forthcoming meeting, he immediately conveyed a message of remorse through his father: "I found my father saying that he will consult president Jonathan. I said: ‘please, when you see him, tell him I am very sorry, I am wiser now’. "

Beyond his personal apology, Bello El-Rufai used the platform to commend former President Jonathan for a rare and impactful act of statesmanship: his decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election and peacefully relinquish power. El-Rufai emphasized the profound significance of this action, particularly within the African political context. He stated, "The system is a problem. Now, why did I mention President Jonathan? It takes a lot, particularly in Africa, to lose an election and leave. He (Jonathan) did that." This acknowledgment underscores Jonathan's contribution to democratic stability and peaceful transitions in the region. Bello El-Rufai’s public apology and praise highlight a re-evaluation of political conduct and history, coming from a member of a family that played a significant role in the opposition against Jonathan's party.