Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current leadership, declaring that the country has been overtaken by what he termed “urban bandits.” El-Rufai made the remarks on Saturday during a lecture in Abuja marking the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The event was themed “Weaponization of Poverty in Nigeria.”

In a fiery address, El-Rufai painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s political landscape, warning that the nation is in its most precarious state since the colonial amalgamation of 1914.

 

“Nigeria is in its biggest trouble since 1914, and that is why we are together working and conspiring to build a coalition to take Nigeria back on track — because it is off track,” he said.

 

The former governor didn’t mince words in describing what he sees as the root cause of the country’s struggles: incompetent leaders who have seized power without the knowledge or will to govern effectively.

 

“It has turned to this level because we have allowed bandits — not the ones in the bushes — but the ones in the urban areas, called urban bandits, to take over leadership,” El-Rufai stated. “They don’t know what to do with power. They just know how to grab it.”

 

Referring to comments made by former military president Ibrahim Babangida, El-Rufai emphasized that the systemic failure in governance stems from a repeated cycle of electing leaders lacking competence and vision.

 

“We keep handing over power to people who are not ready, who are not capable, and who are not committed to national development. That’s why things are falling apart,” he warned.

 

Calling for action, El-Rufai urged Nigerians to rise above ethnic and political sentiment and vote for leaders who possess the “competence, capability, capacity, and commitment” to move the country forward.

 

His remarks come at a time of rising political tensions, growing public discontent over economic hardship, and increasing calls for political accountability across the country.

 

While El-Rufai did not name specific individuals in his critique, his comments have been widely interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on segments of the current political leadership — signaling his continued engagement in national politics and potential alignment with reformist movements.

 

The speech has since ignited debates online, with many Nigerians echoing his frustrations while others criticized the former governor for contributing to the system he now condemns.