Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has issued a stark warning that Nigeria is facing its biggest crisis since 1914 because “bandits” have taken over leadership positions in the country. Speaking on May 31, 2025, at a public lecture in Abuja commemorating former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s 60th birthday, El-Rufai said the real problem is not just the armed bandits in rural areas but the “urban bandits” occupying positions of authority.
El-Rufai lamented that Nigerians repeatedly make the mistake of electing incompetent leaders who lack the capacity and commitment to govern effectively. He stated, “We have allowed bandits, not the ones in the bushes, but the ones in the urban area, called the urban bandits, to take over leadership.”
He described the current state of the nation as “off track” and emphasized the urgent need to build a coalition to restore Nigeria’s progress. El-Rufai praised Amaechi as one of the few capable and committed leaders and called on Nigerians to vote for leaders with competence and integrity in the upcoming 2027 elections.
The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory also highlighted the consequences of poor leadership, including widespread poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment. He urged Nigerians to be vigilant and reject candidates who merely seek power without the ability to govern responsibly.
El-Rufai’s comments were echoed by other dignitaries at the event, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused the current administration of weaponizing poverty, and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who spoke about the stark realities of poverty in Nigeria’s rural and urban areas.
The warning underscores growing concerns about governance and security challenges facing Nigeria, with calls for urgent reforms to address leadership deficits and restore national stability.
