Bello El-Ruafi, a member of the House of Representatives and the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has acknowledged his naivety in criticizing the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The representative for Kaduna North Federal Constituency stated that his lack of understanding prevented him from recognizing that governance was indeed taking place during Jonathan’s tenure.
He revealed that he came to this realization after witnessing his father visiting the former president for political discussions.
“I visited my father after becoming a member and noticed him wearing a polo shirt. I inquired, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied that he was going to see President Jonathan, which made me pause. In my naivety, when I prioritized ego or personal gratification, I was very vocal in my criticisms of President Jonathan.
“I even overlooked, as many young individuals do, the fact that governance was occurring at that time, and I heard my father mention that he was going to consult with President Jonathan. I said, ‘Please, when you meet him, convey my sincerest apologies; I have gained wisdom now.’
“The system poses challenges. Now, why do I reference President Jonathan? It requires significant courage, especially in Africa, to lose an election and step down; he accomplished that,” Bello El-Rufai remarked.
He pointed out that there have been advancements in electoral reforms, and as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he indicated that if there is any validity to the rumor regarding an electoral amendment permitting voting without a voter’s card, he would oppose such a measure.
He voiced his endorsement for the enhancement of electoral reforms, including the electronic transmission of election results.
