"You Supported Tinubu": Etim Esin Blasts Taribo West for Lamenting at Peter Rufai’s Burial
- Taribo West courted controversy after lamenting the lack of support for ex-players at Peter Rufai's burial
- Legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai sadly passed away after a long battle with illness in July at 61
- A former Nigerian international, Etim Esin, has fired back at West over his emotional outburst on Friday
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Former Nigerian international Etim Esin has cautioned Taribo West after his emotional outburst against the Nigerian government at Peter Rufai's burial.
Peter Rufai passed away on July 3 after a prolonged battle with illness at the age of 61 and was buried after a mass at a Catholic church on August 22.
Source: Getty Images
Taribo West and other ex-internationals attended the funeral in Lagos, during which the former AC Milan and Inter Milan defender criticised the government.
As noted by Vanguard, he lamented over the lack of support for ex-internationals, claiming that despite their service to the country, they have been abandoned.
Many Nigerians reacted to his outburst, asking for players to take care of their future and not blame the government for their responsibilities.
The NFF, in an official statement, confirmed that the organisation supported the families of Peter Rufai and Christian Chukwu for their funerals. The donation was reported to be ₦3 million each.
Etim Esin blasts Taribo West
Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin, who was Rufai's teammate at Belgian club Lokeren, has hit out at Taribo over his claims at Rufai's burial.
“Taribo, what's wrong with you? You played for AC Milan, played for Inter Milan, a record no other African player holds,” he said in a video shared on his Instagram page.
“Your mates are like George Weah, the former president of Liberia, and you, Taribo, what stops you from being NFF president if I may ask?"
Source: Getty Images
Esin told Taribo to return to the archive and seek directives from senior players, including Segun Odegbami, and stop being emotional in public.
“It was uncalled for, I know how you felt, but it was uncalled for… let the sleeping soul lie, my brother.”
The former Kayserispor attacker noted that Taribo campaigned for Tinubu and questioned what his proposition to him was regarding ex-players during the campaign.
“You were there campaigning, praying for Tinubu, when Tinubu won the election. Don't you have access again? Can't you take your teammates to Tinubu again?” he added.
“What was your own manifesto to Tinubu to help ex-internationals? Just sat down and you all were cool.
“Please, Taribo, fight to be NFF president, and leave all these. If you cannot fight to be NFF president, stop lamenting.”
Esin also hit out at Taribo’s claims that his children won't play for Nigeria, mentioning other ex-internationals whose children didn't, and making reference to Abedi Pele, whose sons played for Ghana.
Taribo West's salary in 1999 emerges
Legit.ng reported on Taribo West's salary in 1999 during his time at AC Milan after he questioned the government for failing to support ex-internationals.
The defender reportedly earned £1.24 million (₦193 million), which is an equivalent of ₦2.7 billion at this time, making him one of the highest paid in the world.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
