President Muhammadu Buhari’s train ride on Thursday sparked a war of words between the Kaduna State Governor, Nasri El-Rufai, and the senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Ben Murray-Bruce.

The President took a ride shortly after he inaugurated two additional locomotives and 10 additional passenger coaches for the Abuja-Kaduna rail service in Abuja.

He also commissioned the Kaduna Inland Dry Port which he said was the first proper inland dry port to be completed among the seven approved across the country.

President Buari had warned operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service and other port officials not to frustrate businesses with processes that could cause needless delays.

After addressing a gathering at the inauguration ceremony, the President took a train ride alongside Governor El-Rufai and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, as well as some government officials.

The development, however, triggered a disagreement between the governor and Senator Murray-Bruce.

The lawmaker had claimed on his twitter handle that the project commissioned by the President was part of the achievements recorded by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “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.”

In a swift reaction, Governor El-Rufai faulted Murray-Bruce’s claims that it was the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo that stated the project.

He said: “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!” (Channels TV)

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