Bashir El-Rufai has issued a public apology to Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, over a past remark in which he described him as “spineless.”
In a statement shared publicly, Bashir admitted that the comment was inappropriate and expressed regret for making it.
> “I want to use this medium to personally apologize to the Vice-President of Nigeria… It was a reckless tweet,” he said, while also noting that Shettima is someone he admires and respects.
Background to the controversy
The apology appears to be linked to an older social media post that resurfaced, drawing attention and criticism. In that post, Bashir had used the term “spineless” in reference to Shettima, a comment that many observers considered disrespectful given the Vice President’s office and political standing.
Bashir, the son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, is known for his outspoken views, which have occasionally stirred reactions in Nigeria’s political space.
Why the apology now?
While no specific trigger was officially stated, such apologies are often prompted by:
Renewed public attention to past statements
Political sensitivities and evolving alliances
The need to maintain relationships within influential political circles
The tone of the apology suggests an attempt to de-escalate tensions and reaffirm respect for the Vice President.
By acknowledging the remark as “reckless,” Bashir appears to be taking responsibility while also attempting to reset the narrative.
As of now, there has been no official response from Vice President Shettima regarding the apology. However, the development has already drawn attention, with observers viewing it as a notable moment of accountability within Nigeria’s political discourse.
