El-Rufai, deputy exchange of slaps a ridiculous lie – Aides

   
El-Rufai, deputy exchange of slaps a ridiculous lie – Aides

By Segun Ojo, Kaduna

Following the rumour making the rounds on several online news media that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state, and his deputy, Arc. Barnabas Bala Bantex exchanged slaps after a heated debate on policy issues during a State Executive Council, SEC, meeting last week at Sir Ibrahim Kashim House, Kaduna’s seat of government, aides to both parties had described the rumour as unfounded and attempt by mischief makers.

Increased public appearances together this week, including a curious display of  close friendship by the two  to the glare of hundreds of thousands of Kaduna spectators  at Friday’s football match between the Nigerian Super Eagle and the Pharoah’s of Egyp at the Ahmadu Bellu Stadium, was a proof of their cordial relationship.

But, aides of the number one and number two citizens of Kaduna state swore that no such things happened.

El-Rufai, notorious for controversy, is from Zaria, northern part of Kaduna state. He is a first class graduate of Quantity Survey from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while, Bantex from Randiyam, Southern part of Kaduna state,  is a first class  graduate of Architecture from Lagos state university. The two men are believed to be very strong-willed in their opinions and convictions.

Our reporter has been bombarded by calls from scores of worried indigenes of the state both resident and even  outside the country trying to find out the veracity of the story, which has become the most discussed issue in every segment of Kaduna state.

The social media, is also alive with the story, and forms the dominant issue in all online discussion groups with links to Kaduna state.

surprisingly,  apart from recent, unusual rise in numbers  public outings by the two, there has been no official denial to the story, even as morbid as it affects the confidence of the state in the leadership ability of the two in the face of controversial policies and actions churned out of late.

These are, among others:  the N1.8 billion per month school feeding programme, the proposed introduction of issuing out licenses before one preaches in Kaduna state and the proposed demolition of  3,500 houses in Gbyagyi villa, in southern part of  Kaduna town.

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