I was naive – El-Rufai’s son speaks on past criticism of Jonathan

By John Ogunsemore

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bello El-Rufai said naivety and lack of deep understanding of governance fuelled his earlier criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The son of former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai said he has since asked his father to apologise on his behalf to the former president.

The federal lawmaker spoke as a guest on a Channels Television programme on Thursday.

The younger El-Rufai said getting into the House of Reps has changed his perspective about the complexities of governance, making him appreciate the ex-president.

He said, “I visited my father after I became a member and I saw him wearing a polo shirt and I said ‘where are you 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.

“I even forgot in my naivety as many young people do, that we had governance then and I found my father saying that he is going to consult President Jonathan. I said, ‘Please, when you see him, tell him I am very sorry. I am wiser now.’”

El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North federal constituency, praised Jonathan for willingly leaving office after losing the 2015 presidential election.

He said, “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 did that.”