Kenyan President William Ruto has apologised to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians after his comments about Nigerian-accented English sparked serious online backlash.
The drama began when a video surfaced showing Ruto telling Kenyans in Italy that Nigerians “need a translator” to be understood. Nigerians quickly fired back, with former senator Shehu Sani reminding Ruto of Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka.
But on April 28, Ruto clarified during a Nairobi conference that his private conversation was “misrepresented.”
“I was talking about how all of us in Africa speak very good English,” he said. “In Nigeria, if you don’t speak excellent English as we speak in Kenya, you may need a translator for their excellent English.”
Ruto also reminded everyone of his family ties, revealing his daughter is married to a Nigerian. “Please pass my regards to President Tinubu, my friend, and the great people of Nigeria who are my in-laws — in good English,” he added.
Apology accepted? Nigerians are still debating.
