Omotayo Adigun
A seemingly innocuous birthday message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to Dr. Uche Diala has triggered a public exchange with a social media personality identified as Ola.
El-Rufai, using his verified X account (@elrufai), extended birthday greetings to Dr. Uche Diala, describing him as one of the “few good men (and women)” he knows and trusts. The post included two images of Dr. Diala alongside a “Happy Birthday” graphic.
Shortly after, a verified X user with the handle @Ekitiketekan and name “Ola” responded directly to El-Rufai’s post. Ola’s message, written in informal Nigerian Pidgin English, referred to El-Rufai as “Chuks Emeka” and stated,
“You dey hear the news, Tinubu no be GEJ ooo. Your shame go long pass Atlantic ocean …”
This statement appeared to mock El-Rufai and suggest a future embarrassment for him, while also referencing President Bola Tinubu and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ).
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El-Rufai swiftly responded to Ola’s comment with a message in Hausa,
“SHEGE KA FASA!! (Ask Google to translate, and any Hausa to elaborate.”
This reply, posted approximately two hours after Ola’s initial comment, directly addressed Ola and instructed him to seek a translation and further explanation of the Hausa phrase.
The Hausa phrase “Shege ka fasa” roughly translates to a strong reprimand or a statement implying that the recipient would face difficult times or hardship.