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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Thursday, 9 September, 2004, 09:50 GMT 10:50 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Minister sorry for 'fools' jibe The federal capital territory minister has ruffled some senators' feathers Nigerian minister Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has apologised to the senate five times for calling them "fools". Appearing before the senators and a full public gallery, the minister for Abuja begged their forgiveness. Last week the senate went on a two-day strike, demanding President Olusegun Obasanjo sack the outspoken minister for his remarks. Mr El-Rufai has an uneasy relationship with the senate - last year he accused two senators of asking him for a bribe. Remorse "I did not mean what I said. I certainly did not mean to refer to the senators [as fools]. The statement is inappropriate. I made a mistake and I am sorry," Mr El-Rufai said on Wednesday. According to the BBC's Mannir Dan Ali, who watched the proceedings, the minister read from a prepared statement. Silence is the best answer to a fool Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Minister for Abuja Profile: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai The senate session was stage-managed to prevent outbreaks of emotion, our correspondent said. The senate president asked the minister to elaborate on his apology, and in the end Mr El-Rufai expressed his remorse five times. The senators have not yet responded, but two previous apologies by both the president and Mr El-Rufai have been rejected. The minister for the federal state territory is one of President Obasanjo's most controversial appointments. He has been criticised for ordering the demolition of illegal structures in Abuja, as well as dismissing hundreds of workers in his ministry. Members of the senate's public accounts committee have been sharply critical of the minister's performance, claiming he paid exorbitant salaries to staff without proper approval and that he should reimburse the state. Mr El-Rufai hit back, saying: "Silence is the best answer to a fool". In October last year, Mr El-Rufai told a senate corruption investigation that two leading senators asked him to pay $414,000 for them to confirm his appointment. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectZimbabwe jails UK 'coup plotter'Sudan anger over genocide claimUgandan refugees 'heading home'Changes to Nigeria union billHealers licensed in South AfricaUN warns of pesticide 'time-bomb'Minister sorry for 'fools' jibeEpic food convoy crosses SaharaSA arrests over WMD violationsEngland confirm tour datesBrazil wins double trade victoryUgandan army ends hostage dramaAfrica ' too tough on business'Priest 'held 600 fake marriages'Hungry Zambians reap bumper cropMalawi corruption witness missingSouth Africa's back-to-front artRap returns home to AfricaSomalia's rocky road to peaceCan Blair save Africa from poverty?Tall order for Blair's Africa commissionDo you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: 'Foolish' Nigerian senate strike 01 Sep 04  |  Africa Profile: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai 07 Sep 04  |  Africa Nigeria cleans up land ownership 06 Jul 04  |  Africa Africa ponders corruption report 11 Oct 03  |  Africa Nigerian bribe claim dismissed 10 Oct 03  |  Africa Analysis: Nigeria's battle against corruption 08 Jan 03  |  Africa Country profile: Nigeria 23 Apr 03  |  Country profiles RELATED BBC LINKS: Focus on Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian Presidency Nigeria.com Olusegun Obasanjo The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Zimbabwe jails UK 'coup plotter' Sudan anger over genocide claim Ugandan refugees 'heading home' Changes to Nigeria union bill News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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