Bello El-Rufai, a House of Representatives member and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, publicly apologized for his past criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan, admitting he was “naive” in his earlier assessments.
Speaking during a Channels Television interview in Abuja, Bello reflected on his 2010-2015 social media critiques, where he accused Jonathan’s administration of incompetence, particularly over the Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping and fuel subsidy mismanagement. The retraction, reported by Daily Post and The Cable, marks a rare moment of contrition in Nigeria’s polarized political landscape, as Bello seeks to reposition himself ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bello, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, acknowledged Jonathan’s achievements, including the 2014 National Conference, which proposed devolution of powers, and agricultural reforms that boosted rice production by 7 million tonnes, per the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2015 report. “I was young, driven by passion, but lacked the full picture,” he said, crediting Jonathan’s restraint during the 2015 election transition, Nigeria’s first peaceful power transfer. Bello’s apology aligns with his father’s 2024 defense of Jonathan against corruption allegations, signaling a strategic shift within the El-Rufai political dynasty.
The statement drew varied responses. Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, welcomed the apology, urging young leaders to prioritize unity, per Punch. PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum praised Bello’s “maturity,” while APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed it as “opportunistic,” noting Bello’s 2023 campaign attacks on PDP, per Daily Trust. Political analyst Pat Utomi, speaking at a Lagos policy summit, described the retraction as a “step toward reconciliation” but urged Bello to address Kaduna’s 2023 election violence allegations.
The apology, broadcast live, coincides with Nigeria’s economic challenges, including 34% inflation and a ₦1,600/$ exchange rate, prompting analysts like Bismarck Rewane to view it as a bid to appeal to southern voters. Bello’s remarks, a reflection on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, underscore the complexities of political accountability in a nation grappling with its past and present.