Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s leadership crisis, declaring that the country is in deep trouble because “bandits have been allowed to take over leadership.” He made this statement in Abuja on Saturday while delivering a goodwill message at a public lecture to mark the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The event, themed “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria,” drew prominent figures from across the country and addressed the nation’s worsening economic and political conditions.
Speaking to a packed audience, El-Rufai described Nigeria’s current predicament as the worst it has faced since the country’s amalgamation in 1914, blaming systemic leadership failures and the repeated elevation of unqualified individuals to positions of power.
“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,” El-Rufai declared.
He drew a sharp distinction between the rural criminals commonly referred to as “bandits” and those he labeled “urban bandits” — politicians and public figures who, in his words, have seized control of Nigeria’s institutions without the requisite vision, competence, or integrity to lead.
“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 the urban bandits, to take over leadership,” he said.
“I believe that the problem we have is that we just get incompetent people and hand over leadership to them. Most of them don’t really know what to do. They just know how to grab power but don’t know what to do with it.”
The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister criticized what he termed a cycle of political mediocrity, lamenting that Nigerians continue to elect the “worst people” into power, thereby perpetuating poverty, underdevelopment, and insecurity across the country.
El-Rufai’s comments come amid increasing national anxiety over deteriorating living standards, rising inflation, food insecurity, and escalating violence from both criminal gangs and insurgent groups. His call adds to a growing chorus of voices demanding urgent political reform and a return to governance rooted in competence, capacity, and character.
He urged Nigerians to rise above tribal and partisan sentiments when choosing their leaders and instead focus on electing those with the competence, capability, and commitment to turn the nation’s fortunes around.
“Nigerians must stand up and vote for leaders who have the competence, capability, capacity, and commitment to move the country forward,” he stated emphatically.
The lecture, held in honor of Rotimi Amaechi’s milestone birthday, also featured panels and discussions on Nigeria’s economic policies, political culture, and the role of leadership in national development.
El-Rufai’s remarks are expected to fuel further debate in the lead-up to future elections, particularly as conversations around political accountability, leadership reform, and national unity gain momentum across Nigeria’s diverse political landscape.
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