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El-Rufai Sons’ Online Clash Rekindles Debate on Political Privilege and Public Decorum

Published

10 months ago

December 14, 2025

Quick Summary:
Bashir and Bello El-Rufai’s latest social media spat ignites public debate on political privilege, online civility, and the responsibilities of public figures in Nigeria’s digital space.

A recent social media altercation involving Bashir and Bello El-Rufai, sons of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has reignited a national conversation about online conduct and political privilege.

The incident, which played out on X (formerly Twitter), began as a policy debate on governance and accountability under the President Bola Tinubu administration. An X user identified as @yojora alleged that the El-Rufai family benefited from land allocations during Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.

Bashir El-Rufai, now a member of the House of Representatives, defended the allocations as a legal inheritance process, controversially comparing it to a “cocaine cartel accountant.”

When the user cited a 2012 tweet in which the former governor admitted to allocating eight plots of land to his family out of 27,000 approvals, the exchange escalated. Bashir’s responses turned vulgar, and when the user mentioned their mother, Hadiza El-Rufai, the situation deteriorated further, with threats of retaliation and a reference to “Momsy.”

Public Reaction and Implications

The altercation has drawn widespread condemnation across social media platforms, with many Nigerians criticizing the El-Rufai brothers’ behavior as unbecoming of public figures.

Observers note that the incident reflects recurring issues of entitlement and decorum among the children of politically exposed individuals.

Key Themes in the National Conversation

Political Privilege: The episode has reignited debate over accountability and entitlement, with critics arguing that the El-Rufai sons’ conduct exemplifies the impunity often associated with political families.
Tone of Public Discourse: Nigerians have expressed concern over the toxic and vulgar nature of online political debates, where personal insults and ethnic slurs frequently overshadow policy discussions.
Parental Accountability: Public attention also turned to Hadiza El-Rufai, who acknowledged that her son should be held accountable for his words but described his responses as “fair” when provoked.

Despite previous apologies for similar incidents, the recurrence of such behavior has kept the El-Rufai family at the center of public scrutiny.

Broader Implications for Public Conduct

The controversy underscores the growing tension between political privilege and public accountability in Nigeria’s digital age.

As social media continues to shape political narratives, the conduct of public officials and their families increasingly influences public trust in governance.

Analysts argue that the El-Rufai episode highlights the urgent need for ethical leadership, digital responsibility, and civility in public discourse, especially among those in or connected to positions of power.

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Senate Confirms Sani Muhammad Ndanusa as Ambassador.

Published

15 hours ago

October 20, 2026

Emmanuel Ikechukwu

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Engineer Sani Muhammad Ndanusa as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner.

The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report submitted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Abubakar, representing Niger North. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had nominated Ndanusa for the diplomatic position, after which he appeared before the committee for screening.

Presenting the committee’s recommendations during plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Ndanusa’s confirmation after lawmakers unanimously endorsed the nomination through a voice vote.

Akpabio congratulated the nominee and expressed confidence that Ndanusa would draw on his professional experience to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and strengthen the nation’s relations with other countries.

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Ogun Police Rescue 11 Ghanaian Nationals in Sagamu Visa Scam.

Published

15 hours ago

October 20, 2026

Emmanuel Ikechukwu

The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals allegedly held hostage in Sagamu after being lured to Nigeria with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas.

The victims—seven males and four females—were rescued during an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation followed intelligence received on October 19, 2026, concerning a suspected hideout.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were allegedly deceived by a fellow Ghanaian national who promised to facilitate their travel abroad. Each victim reportedly paid GH₵40,000 before being brought to Nigeria and detained against their will.

The victims are currently receiving care and support, while detectives work to identify and arrest other members of the alleged criminal network.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its prompt response and professionalism. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and combating transnational crime, stating that Ogun State would not become a safe haven for criminals.

The police urged members of the public to verify overseas travel and visa arrangements before making payments and to report suspicious activities to the authorities.

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Federal Government Confirms Ebola Case in the FCT.

Published

15 hours ago

October 20, 2026

Emmanuel Ikechukwu

The Federal Government has confirmed one laboratory-diagnosed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The case was confirmed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT. She had received treatment at the facility for several days before being isolated. She is currently receiving medical care.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that contact tracing had commenced. So far, 44 close contacts have been identified, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and FCT health authorities, is taking measures to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.

Authorities have urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene, and report suspected exposure or symptoms to public health officials. The NCDC toll-free call centre is available 24 hours a day on 6232 for information and suspected case reporting.