Sunday 12 April saw the family of El Rufai, Governor Kaduna State engage in a Twitter fracas that quickly escalated.
Bello El Rufai, son to the governor had criticized Trump’s way of handling the covid-19 out break.
Another Twitter user quoted his tweet asking if his father has done any better. He also critiqued Bello, asking if his father’s friend, President Buhari has done better for Nigeria than Trump.
“How about the absentee president in Nigeria?,” the twitter user @oewonah queried.
In response, Mr El-Rufai said he was sure that @oewonah would be from the South-east and his state governor therefor, incompetent.
Again, @oewonah responded, saying: “I don’t shield anyone who’s inept. I can’t say the same about you. You’re daddy’s boy and of course nobody attacks the finger that feeds them. Buhari’s ineptitude is mind-blowing. Yes I said it and you’re not going to make me disappear!”
Bello in a wild hot rage, attacked @oewonah in suggestive words that implied he and his friends will kidnap and gang-r*pe his mother.
See screenshots below
This caused outrage on Twitter as many people condemned his threats.
Some drew the attention of his mother, Hadiza El Rufai, The first lady of Kaduna State. She however responded in a manner that shocked many on Twitter. Dismissing her son’s open threat, she said no one should tag her to his tweets as he’s responsible for his words. She went further to say all is fair in love and war and the Twitter user got what he deserved.
See her tweet below
All you people talking about @B_ELRUFAI
Don’t @ me. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. All is fair in love and war.
My belief: Respect everyone, but take no s**t from anyone.
I didn’t see any threats of r**e. I would never condone that.
— Hadiza Isma El-Rufai (@hadizel) April 12, 2020
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Her response received heavy backlash from many and people questioned how a mother would endorse her son’s r*pe implied tweets. There was also questions as to why the first lady who’s also the chairperson of the s*xual task force against s*xual abuse in Kaduna State would openly endorses a r*pe threat.
Many also called on Bello to apologise his tweets but he remained obstinate in his resolve. He went further to threaten a journalist for Premium Times, Samuel Ogundipe with a law suit after the latter wrote a piece on him.
Oh @SamuelOgundipe, our hired PDP columnist, you in particular were the last piece of the puzzle. I assure you that my lawyers will get to you to prove the usage/threat of r**e. The onus is on you. I eagerly anticipate the #FreeSamuel hashtag. Thanks for completing the jigsaw.
— Bello El-Rufai (@B_ELRUFAI) April 13, 2020
His mother, today Monday recanted and has apologised for her previous tweets. According to her, she did not read his former tweets and presumed it was just the Tweeter usual fights.
She tweeted
I can see how my tweet may have come across, and I apologise to those who were offended by it. I say, once again, that I’d never condone s****l abuse in any shape or form. https://t.co/TYh9hJAix5
— Hadiza Isma El-Rufai (@hadizel) April 13, 2020
However Twitter users are having none of it, saying she didn’t think before she reacted.
That’s why it’s good to think before you act. But in this case you acted before thinking.
I held you in high esteem but thank God for this incident as e be now…I fit exchange u for a bottle of gbongbnonishe
— people’sChoice (@Deacon_Frankie) April 13, 2020
Some have said the apology was half-hearted and not sincere enough.
Let me fix it for you.
After a thorough soul searching and discussion with myself, Bello and our family, I’ve come to the conclusion that we greatly erred and showed the worst example to our numerous followers, friends and family members.
Threatening r**e must be condemned in… https://t.co/mzRlVx8fQh— E.J. (@Enwagboso) April 13, 2020
Others also insists Bello must apologize for himself which he has yet to as at the time of this report.
What do you think, does her apology cut across as sincere and should Nigerians take hers instead of Bello’s? Lets us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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