A bitter family dispute involving the sons of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has spilled into the public domain after Bashir El-Rufai launched a series of attacks against his elder brother, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, on X. Bashir made the expletive-laden posts on Saturday, August 29, accusing Bello, who represents……
A bitter family dispute involving the sons of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has spilled into the public domain after Bashir El-Rufai launched a series of attacks against his elder brother, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, on X.
Bashir made the expletive-laden posts on Saturday, August 29, accusing Bello, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, of abandoning the family and questioning his political loyalty.
Bashir also made allegations concerning his brother’s alleged involvement with alcohol and drugs, claims that have not been independently verified. Some of the posts were later deleted.
The public exchange has since triggered reactions from Nigerians and other prominent commentators on X, with many urging the brothers to resolve their differences privately and avoid exposing family matters on social media.
Arch Uche Rochas said Bashir risked causing greater damage to himself and the family by publicly attacking his brother.
“If you destroy your brother, no one will see you as a hero. The more you try to destroy him, the more you destroy yourself and drag your family’s name through the mud,” he wrote.
He added: “If you need someone to talk to, I am here.”
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Veteran journalist Sam Omatseye also weighed in on the controversy, urging the brothers to avoid publicly exposing their family differences.
“This is not a time for the brothers El-Rufai to wash the family kaftan in public. For a good reason. Their father is behind bars partly because of his footloose tongue. Are they trying to tell us that running their mouth runs in the family?” Omatseye wrote on X.
Shitta Temmy urged Bashir to remain calm and deal with the situation away from the public.
“May Allah grant you the patience to bear whatever you’re going through right now. Keep it silent for now. I know it must be very tough, but please try to stay calm,” Temmy said.
Prince Adamu Ndotti questioned Bashir’s decision to publicise allegations concerning his brother.
“You have openly mentioned everything your brother is struggling with,including alcohol,cocaine,and other issues,yet your father still chose him to represent his people at the National Assembly.Don’t you think it’s possible that the problem might actually be coming from your side?” he wrote.
Another X user, Juicy_GrapeVine, questioned why the disagreement had been taken online.
“Your own blood brother… and on Social Media? What could be so bad, that you couldn’t do all these out of public glare? It’s alright for siblings to fight, but not this way. Have a rethink, please,” the user said.
Abdul Mahmud also appealed to Bashir to keep the matter private.
“I can understand that you’re hurting, Mr. Bashir. But to me, I really don’t subscribe to making this public. We can’t help with reconciliation from here. Please keep it secret. Komai zai wuce. Insha Allah!” he wrote.
General Iblat warned against seeking to destroy another person, while Akinrinlade Ayo appealed to the brothers to keep their differences away from the public.
“We are not asking you not to fight dirty as a family but please don’t wash your dirty linens in public. At least pity the mental health of your children. Bl00d is thicker than water!” Ayo said.
The dispute comes amid existing political tensions surrounding the El-Rufai family, particularly the strained relationship between Nasir El-Rufai and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai remains a member of the House of Representatives, while his father has moved away from the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The public fallout between the brothers has consequently generated widespread debate over family loyalty, political differences and the decision to settle private disputes on social media.
