Bello El-Rufai, son of Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has tendered his apologies for threatening to ‘gang-rape’ one of his followers’ mother on twitter.
Bello, responding to the twitter user @thanos_zer on Sunday after they had a disagreement said in a private message: “Tell your mother I’m passing her to my friends tonight. No Igbo sounds please! Tueh.”
Nigerians reacted to his comments, criticizing him for making such uncultured comments.
One of the prominent Nigerians who also condemned him was former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili.
But instead of him feeling remorseful, he also attacked her for trying to reprimand him for his hurtful outburst.
The argument was about the United States President, Donald Trump and President Muhammadu Buhari’s roles since the outbreak of COVIID-19 pandemic across the globe.
In any case, in a series of tweets, Bello has apologised for his action, explaining that he made the comment “during the heat of the moment”.
He said: “A few days ago, I made a comment that was wrong, unbecoming and contrary to the values on which I was raised.
“I wish to withdraw the statement and apologise to the gentleman concerned for the hurtful comment.
Bello continued, “I also apologise for appearing to attack and entire ethnic group for the misdeed of one person,” the statement read.
“I regret the sexual innuendo in the private message and apologise unreservedly for it. I wish to state very strongly that the statement was made during the heat of the moment and I wish to put on the record that I do not condone sexual violence,” he said.
According to Bello, he is learning from the episode in the continuous journey of emerging as a better person and he has apologised to his mother in person.
“I certainly do not believe that there can be any justification for gender-based crimes. I am learning from the episode in the continuous journey of emerging as a better person. I have apologized to my mother in person,” he said.
“I have also reached out to the women in my life and apologised. I realise that the intensity around this matter stems partly from my surname.
“The mistakes I made with the private message and in smearing an ethnic group because of one person are now being replicated by people that are attacking my parents and my family because of my conduct,” he said.
“I am one of many children in a family raised with standards of decency and strong values of which my recent conduct has fallen short.
“I appreciate the time that friends and loved ones have taken to show me the error of my ways.
“I apologise to the general public in recognition of the duty to acknowledge wrongdoing and strive to be better,” he added.
