Abuja, Nigeria – Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has come under heavy criticism after issuing a violent threat to a social media user who made a derogatory comment directed at his mother, Hadiza El-Rufai.
The controversy erupted following Hadiza’s reaction to a conversation on the U.S. travel ban affecting Nigeria and three other African countries. In her remarks, Hadiza praised the success of many Nigerians abroad, highlighting that many of them were of Igbo origin.
While some users commended her for the statement, others responded with hostility, accusing her of playing identity politics. Undeterred, Hadiza fired back:
“No cyberbully can take away my right to express my opinion. Not everything is about politics. But that is something some of you will never understand.”
However, tensions escalated when a user with the handle @jussstice09 responded with a disturbing message:
“You no go die well ma.”
Bashir’s Response Draws Backlash
Bashir El-Rufai, known for his fiery online persona, retaliated in a now-deleted tweet that shocked many users:
“If you ever utter that phrase to my mother again & delete that tweet, I am going to find you (it’s easier than you think) & unalive you & your family.”
The tweet quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from rights advocates, political commentators, and other netizens who expressed concern about the tone of threat and violence coming from a prominent political figure’s son.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Though Bashir has since deleted the post, legal experts and civil society groups have raised questions about whether the threat constitutes a violation of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, which criminalizes online harassment, threats, and hate speech.
Calls have also intensified for platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to take action against posts that promote violence or intimidation.
Public Opinion Split
While some supporters defended Bashir’s emotional reaction as a son protecting his mother, others stressed that public figures must maintain composure, especially in the digital space where tensions can quickly escalate.
Context
Bashir El-Rufai has previously made headlines for controversial remarks online, often engaging in heated political and cultural debates. His father, Nasir El-Rufai, remains an influential voice in Nigerian politics.
As of now, no formal apology or statement has been issued by Bashir or the El-Rufai family.
