A bitter family feud has erupted among the sons of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as Bashir El-Rufai publicly slammed his elder brother, Bello El-Rufai, over political differences and alleged personal misconduct. The conflict, which has played out on social media, centers on their divergent stances regarding the strained relationship between their father and current Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Bashir accused Bello of substance abuse, hypocrisy, and abandoning family loyalty for political gain, while Bello remains a vocal supporter of Governor Sani.
In a series of controversial posts, Bashir did not hold back in his criticism, describing his brother as “useless” and alleging he regularly uses alcohol and cocaine. He pointed to what he described as a white substance around Bello’s nostrils, suggesting drug use, and questioned how someone in such condition could represent a federal constituency. Bashir also reacted angrily to an alleged comment from Bello telling him to kill himself, retorting with a sarcastic threat involving his own daughter, emphasizing the depth of the personal rift.
Bashir further accused Bello of opportunism, claiming he only returned to the family after his political alliance with Governor Sani began to falter. According to Bashir, Bello had remained silent during earlier criticisms of Sani, choosing instead to distance himself from the family’s public stance. He said Bello was nowhere to be found when others were challenging what they called the “towel governor,” referring to Sani’s administration, and accused him of hiding behind personal interests rather than standing with the family.
The roots of this family division lie in the growing tension between Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani. Once close allies, their relationship soured after Sani claimed his administration inherited massive debts—$587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities—which he said crippled the state’s ability to pay salaries and fund development projects. This financial revelation sparked widespread debate and intensified political rivalry, drawing even family members into the fray.
While Bashir has consistently criticized Sani’s leadership on social media, Bello has maintained his support, calling Sani a political mentor. Bashir sees this continued allegiance as a betrayal, especially since Bello recently switched to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move Bashir interprets as a calculated political maneuver rather than genuine principle.
As the public spat continues, the once-unified El-Rufai family now stands divided, with each brother representing opposing sides of a deepening political and personal divide. The fallout may have wider implications for Kaduna’s political landscape, where family ties often intersect with power dynamics. What began as a private disagreement has now become a public spectacle, highlighting how politics can fracture even the closest relationships.
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