Ben Bruce fights back, challenges el-Rufai to public debate

Ben Murray Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, has challenged Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, to a public debate.

The lawmaker did this in response to the governor’s salvo.

El-Rufai had dismissed the statement of Bruce that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan should be given credit for the progress in the rail sector.

Buhari inaugurated new rail vehicles for the Kaduna–Abuja train service at Rigasa train station in Kaduna on Thursday.

He later took a train ride from Rigasa to Kakuri on the outskirts of Kaduna to inaugurate Nigeria’s first Inland Dry Port in Kaduna.

Reacting via Twitter, his main medium for communication on social media, Bruce asked Buhari to thank Jonathan for the train ride.

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

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

But el-Rufai, who sat next to Buhari during the ride, would have none of that, so he took to Twitter to hit back at Bruce.

The governor said Bruce was wrong to have credited former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s achievement to Jonathan.

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

Bruce would not allow el-Rufai have the last word, so he challenged him to a debate.

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