By Paul Joseph
A fresh political controversy has emerged in Kaduna State following the reaction of Bashir El-Rufai to a condolence message issued by Governor Uba Sani.
The governor had earlier released a statement mourning the death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing her as a respected matriarch who lived a life of service and compassion.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire El-Rufai family,” Sani said, while highlighting her humility, wisdom, and dedication to family and community.
He further praised her as a woman of “rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength,” adding that she served as a source of counsel and reconciliation within her community.
The governor also offered prayers for the repose of her soul, asking Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, while urging the family to remain strong in their time of grief.
However, Bashir El-Rufai publicly rejected the condolence message in a brief response posted online.
“Bama so,” he wrote a Hausa phrase meaning “we don’t want.”
The short but pointed reaction has since generated widespread attention, particularly against the backdrop of lingering political tensions between loyalists of the former governor and the current administration in Kaduna State.
Observers say the exchange underscores the deepening divide within the state’s political landscape, despite the solemn nature of the circumstances.
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