El-Rufai has claimed that Nigeria is in deepest crisis since 1914 and that “urban bandits” have captured it’s leadership.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sounded the alarm over what he described as Nigeria’s most troubling period since its 1914 amalgamation, blaming the country’s declining fortunes on corrupt and incompetent leadership he labelled “urban bandits.”
El-Rufai made the damning remarks on Saturday in Abuja during a lecture to mark the 60th birthday of former Rivers governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. The event centered around the theme: “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria.”
In his speech, El-Rufai said the country is dangerously off course and urgently in need of a course correction.
“Nigeria is in its biggest trouble since 1914. That’s why some of us are working and even conspiring to build a coalition to take Nigeria back on track,” he declared.
The former governor did not mince words as he accused a specific category of elite — whom he termed “urban bandits” — of hijacking political power and eroding governance from within.
“We have allowed urban bandits — not those hiding in forests — but those living comfortably in cities, to seize control of leadership. They care more about personal gain than national progress,” he said.
El-Rufai attributed much of Nigeria’s misfortune to a pattern of electing leaders who lack the skills and vision to govern.
“We keep handing over power to people who are grossly incompetent. They know how to win elections but have no idea how to lead. That is at the root of our national failure.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s few areas of visible progress are tied directly to capable individuals being given room to lead, noting that leadership should not be treated as a popularity contest.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, El-Rufai urged Nigerians to break free from political sentiment and focus on substance.
“The challenge before Nigerians in 2027 is clear: evaluate those seeking office not by tribe or religion, but by their competence, character, and commitment to nation-building,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing dissatisfaction with economic conditions and governance performance under the current administration, with many Nigerians demanding reforms and credible leadership.
El-Rufai’s comments have reignited national discourse on the need for leadership accountability and the dangers of political complacency in a time of deepening socioeconomic hardship.