Nigerians on social media have reacted furiously at an article published by The Nation Newspaper, which attacked the Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and his son, Bello.
The publication, written by a columnist, Sam Omatseye, was titled “Like Father, Like Fraud”.
Omatseye, who claimed a former minister told him to put Bello in his place, blasted the lawmaker and accused his father of embezzling public funds to train his children abroad.
“A father is accused of stealing over N400 billion, the son goes to the toilet to defend him. Is that the sort of family that should spill into the public square?” He asked.
However, the publication has earned the media house knocks as netizens slammed The Nation for using its platform to fight the perceived enemies of the owner, President Bola Tinubu.
One of the commenters, Idris A. Oni, vowed to unfollow the media house on X.
Oni wrote, “I will unfollow this paper today. Didn’t know they’ve become so debased to this level. Reading through the report shows it isn’t a report, it is like the cry of someone who shouts vendetta in their loudest voice. No proper editing, poor usage of words, very unbefitting of a paper as old as The Nation Nigeria. This is an embarrassment.”
@De’Otunba wrote, “This is wrong!!! Politics should not be this way!! @officialABAT, don’t let them scattèr your govt!”
“This is the height of irresponsibility, for a supposed reputable media house like the nation to engage in such purile character assassination filled with such innuendoes and outright lies is the height of irresponsibility.
“The people of Kaduna North only got to know what responsibility and responsive representation with the advent of
@B_ELRUFAI as we’ve never had it this good, this can easily be independently verified. As for Mallam @elrufai, no amount of character assassination will change the fact about his undeniable strides in the development of Kaduna state,” were the words of a X.com user, Chief.
Isah Abbas wrote, “This is not a mistake or a one off, it is the unfolding of an agenda ably supported by the owners.”
An influencer, Dr Dipo Awojide wrote, “You need to stop doing this to a man who stood in support of the president when it mattered most. This is counterproductive. Stop it.”
“This is not professional at all…now this media house is looking like a blog. Even some bloggers won’t tweet recklessly like this,” Teeto said.
Another user, Dr Saint Dikachi wrote, “This is very shameful of a media house . I am not a fan of El Rufai but this man fought for TInubu’s ambition like his own and even did expo for him during Chatham house interview and even Tinubu begged him to come join his administration yet see what Tinubu is doing to him . Well, the north never forgets and remembers. 2027 is near.”
Ifedapsi said, “That newspaper published the popular Sam omatseye “Obituary” post, the first major editorial attack on Peter Obi. You should know their shamelessness did not start today.”
“Is this not Tinubu’s newspaper?” Chinedu Okolie inquired. He further said, “Sha anything that will make the enemies fight themselves is welcomed.”
