TheCable

The war of words between Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, and Ben Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, is not yet over.

Both men have been involved in arguments over some rail projects in Kaduna state.

Bruce had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to thank former President Goodluck Jonathan for the train ride he took in Kaduna when he inaugurated Nigeria’s first Inland Dry Port in the state.

I hope President @MBuhari remembers to say thank you to former President @GEJonathan for the train ride he enjoyed in Kaduna. Some of us haven’t forgotten that that achievement was ENTIRELY the handiwork of the Jonathan government. Nigeria should give honour to whom honour is due

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— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) January 4, 2018

El-Rufai, however, dismissed the senator’s claim, saying the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo  ought to be given credit for the rail projects.

Wrong Distinuguisnhed Senator! The Obasanjo administration which Jonathan was not part of, designed, raised the financing and started the EPC of the Lagos-Kano dual track-standard gauge rail system, and the Abuja Light Rail. Yar’Adua-Jonathan stalled both projects for two years! https://t.co/wVc45vKjyX

— Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) January 5, 2018

But the senator challenged him to a debate on the issue.

Your dislike of the late Yar’adua may have clouded your judgment. I made no mention of the ‘Abuja light railway’. My tweet referred to the Abuja-Kaduna railway which IS a product of the Jonathan administration. I am happy to publicly debate this with you. https://t.co/sIl2KBNFK0

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) January 5, 2018

Reacting on Saturday, El-Rufai dismissed the idea of a debate, while insisting that credit should be given to Obasanjo for the rail projects.

He said while the Obasanjo administration was putting in place the rail modernisation programme in the country, both Bruce and Jonathan were not in the picture.

“There is nothing to debate. Facts cannot be debated. Opinions are free,” he wrote.

“While the Obasanjo administration was conceiving the rail modernization programme, Sen Ben-Bruce was organizing beauty contests and Jonathan was a deputy governor. I am not cluelessly common-sensical!”

There is nothing to debate. Facts cannot be debated. Opinions are free. While the Obasanjo administration was conceiving the rail modernization programme, Sen Ben-Bruce was organizing beauty contests and Jonathan was a deputy governor. I am not cluelessly common-sensical! ~ Nasir https://t.co/5VwAQVo26Y

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— Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) January 6, 2018