Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has branded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the worst and most corrupt in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking during a visit to Katsina State, El-Rufai accused the federal government of operating on deceit, particularly regarding the country’s worsening security situation.
According to him, the Tinubu-led government relies heavily on propaganda and misinformation, rather than addressing the root causes of insecurity.
“This is the most lying government that depends on false propaganda,” El-Rufai stated. “They lied that security has improved in Nigeria. They read out numbers of bandits killed except the ones we know are the leading bandits.
“In Kaduna, Dogo Gide is still around, Mallam Abba, the Boko Haram terrorist is still alive. Bello Turji is still around but every day, they announce names of people that are bandits’ leaders that they have killed and security has improved.”
He also challenged the government’s claims of progress by pointing out ongoing banditry in several states, including Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Sokoto.
“How many local governments are under the occupation of bandits in Katsina State?” El-Rufai said. “How many are occupied by bandits in Zamfara State and some parts of Sokoto State? And because you are in government, you think that nothing would happen, things will remain like that?”
“It’s okay, you are free to engage in your grand delusion, but when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth,” El-Rufai said.
El-Rufai emphasized that the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, the rising cost of living, and the depreciating value of wages all reflect the current administration’s failure.
“Can you afford three square meals? Can your salary buy what it used to buy two years ago? I should ask you. There is nothing wrong with the government?” he questioned.
Despite campaigning for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential elections, El-Rufai distanced himself from the federal administration, stressing that his only political accountability lies with his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
“Between 2015 and 2023, I was not part of it. What you can ask me and I can defend my tenure is what I did in Kaduna between 2015 and 2023. I had very little to do with the federal government.”
“I was among those that formed the APC and I campaigned for President Buhari, (and of course the current president). Yes, I did. He was the candidate of my party and I campaigned for him. I was never part of his government,” he said.
Now a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), El-Rufai said he was committed to building the party into a formidable political force, akin to his role in the formation of the APC.
“We have to build it just as we built the APC from the ground up. It’s hard work, it’s risky work. We will succeed by the grace of God, but even if we fail, let it go down in history that some people tried and stood up to challenge tyranny and incompetence and grand corruption at all levels. This is what we are trying to do,” he said.
Responding to a recent comment by the APC National Chairman that no one could unseat President Tinubu in 2027, El-Rufai replied: “I have nothing to say. Silence is usually the best answer to people like that.”
“The quality of governance in the country is appalling. This is the worst government in Nigeria’s history. I’m 65 years old. I have seen every government in Nigeria since independence. This is the worst.”
“And if they think that nothing will happen, that Nigerians are helpless, that all of us will just fold our arms and allow this country to be run aground, they are making a mistake. Nigerians will challenge them. Nigerians will teach them a lesson. Nigerians will put their arrogance to rest by the special grace of God,” he added.
