By Charles Pemu 
Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has stirred controversy on social media following a provocative statement about what he believes is needed to make Nigeria great again.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Bashir asserted that Nigeria could attain greatness, but suggested that “a few certain people have to kpai”—a slang term widely interpreted as a euphemism for death or elimination—for the dream to be realized. The comment quickly drew backlash, with users calling out the statement as dangerous and irresponsible.
Many Nigerians on the platform responded by challenging Bashir to begin the so-called process by handing over his own father, a former top government official. In response, Bashir defended his position while distancing himself ideologically from his father.
“Anyone that knows me knows I wholeheartedly acknowledge his flaws; furthermore, I often disagree with many of his views. That is the sort of family I was raised in,” he wrote in a follow-up post.
The statement has reignited debates around political entitlement, accountability, and the tone of public discourse from individuals connected to the country’s political elite. While some users dismissed Bashir’s comment as reckless rhetoric, others questioned the larger implications of such language in a fragile political climate.
As of press time, there has been no official response from Nasir El-Rufai or relevant authorities.
