Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly retracted a scathing social media post that labelled Vice President Kashim Shettima as "painfully spineless". The tweet, which has since been deleted, was posted on March 6, 2026, and called for Shettima to take a stronger stance against alleged corruption at the Presidential Villa. In a surprising U-turn, Bashir expressed his admiration and respect for the Vice President, labelling his earlier tweet as reckless.
According to the now-deleted post, Bashir had urged Shettima to use his leverage to dismantle the alleged corrupt system at the Presidential Villa. However, in his apology, Bashir took a different tone, stating that he greatly admires and respects the Vice President. The apology was met with mixed reactions online, with some users praising Bashir for taking responsibility and showing accountability, while others questioned his consistency and motives.
The incident highlights the complexities of online discourse and the importance of considering the consequences of one's words. As a public figure, Bashir's apology will likely be scrutinized by the public and the media. The Vice President's response to the apology remains to be seen, but it is clear that the incident has sparked a heated online debate.
The sudden apology from Bashir El-Rufai raises questions about the authenticity of his earlier statement and the motivations behind his retraction. While some may view his apology as a sign of accountability, others may see it as a calculated move to avoid backlash. As the debate continues, it is essential to hold public figures to a higher standard of accountability and transparency in their online interactions.
