Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing criticism of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, describing the present leadership in Nigeria as being in the grip of “urban bandits.”
El-Rufai made the remark during a public lecture titled “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria”, held in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday celebration of former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking at the event, El-Rufai lamented the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria is facing its “biggest trouble” since the 1914 amalgamation.
He faulted the political class for repeatedly entrusting power to what he termed as “incompetent leaders” who lack the knowledge and vision to govern effectively.
“Nigeria is in its biggest trouble since 1914, and that is why we are working together to build a coalition to take Nigeria back on track because it is off track,” El-Rufai declared.
He further stated, “We have allowed bandits—not those in the bushes but those in the cities, the urban bandits—to take over leadership. They know how to grab power but don’t know what to do with it.”
The former minister and ex-Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administrator stressed that poor leadership is the root cause of Nigeria’s development woes, as leaders with no clear agenda continue to dominate the political space.
El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), urged Nigerians to make better choices in the 2027 general elections by prioritising competence, capacity, and genuine commitment to national development.
“The key challenge for Nigerians in 2027 is to look critically at those offering themselves for leadership and choose people with competence, capability, capacity, and commitment to move Nigeria forward,” he said.
This is not the first time El-Rufai has taken a swipe at the Tinubu-led administration. In April, the former governor expressed confidence that the emerging opposition coalition could unseat President Tinubu in the 2027 polls, stressing that even with the full support of state governors, the will of the people could prevail.
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