Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai has on 31st of May, 2025 at an event organized to commemorate the 60th birthday of former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, described the those in current Nigerian leadership as urban bandits.
Speaking at the event which was titled: “weaponization of poverty as a means of underdevelopment: Nigeria as case study”, Nasir El-rufai pointed out that Nigerians are prone to committing errors in their choice of leaders. The former governor of Kaduna State blamed Nigerians for frequently handing over power to those he described as incompetent and who lack the capacity to lead but are experts in power snatching and grabbing.
He explained that those in the current Nigeria’s government are urban bandits who lack leadership qualities and foresight and do not know what to do. He added that Nigeria has never had it this bad since the 1914 Lord Lugard amalgamation.
Speaking further, he stated that the current situation of Nigeria requires immediate intervention and that is the reason himself; the celebrant, former governor Rotimi Amaechi and others are determined to rescue the country from president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s underperforming administration. He said the coalition party will not relent in its genuine bid to end Tinubu’s reign.
He said Nigerians must be ready to resist these urban bandits by electing competent persons into political positions necessary for the repositioning of the country into the path of progress.
Hence, he emphasizes the importance of the 2027 general elections noting that Nigerians must avoid all sorts of sentiment and must consider competence over tribal, and religious prejudices.
Nasir El-rufai who has become a strong critic of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had supported president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential bid in 2023.
His contribution to Tinubu’s 2023 presidential victory was openly acknowledged by Tinubu at his inauguration ceremony in which he appealed to the former governor to make himself available to serve in his cabinet. However, Tinubu and El-rufai’s relationship went sour after the former governor failed his ministerial nomination screening at the Nigeria’s senate. His ministerial nomination was rejected by the senate on the ground of some petitions against his nomination and which the Nigeria’s government would investigate.
Following his failed ministerial appointment, Nasir El-rufai became a strong critic of Tinubu’s administration and currently leading conspiracy of opposition parties’ figures to challenge president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The former governor in a recent interview, while speaking about president Tinubu’s reelection chances in 2027, declared that it is impossible for president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win reelection in 2027. He said the Tinubu’s administration is vastly unpopular among the Nigerian people and his policies are anti-people.
He pointed out the worsening insecurity and economy of Nigeria as evidence of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s poor performance which the electorates are not oblivious of. He believes that the coalition party which is still at its birthing stage will not only have a chance against president Tinubu in 2027 but will defeat him.
In his words: “Tinubu will be sent back to Lagos in 2027. In my opinion, there is no possibility of his winning in 2027”.
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