El-Rufai Sounds the Alarm: Nigeria Facing Its Worst Crisis Since 1914 Due to ‘Urban Bandits in Power’

 

Nigeria’s former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has delivered a powerful and deeply concerning message about the state of leadership in Nigeria. According to him, the country is currently experiencing its most severe governance crisis since its creation in 1914, and urgent action is needed to steer the nation back on track.

El-Rufai made this bold declaration in Abuja on Saturday, May 31, while speaking at the 60th birthday lecture of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The event was themed “Weaponization of Poverty in Nigeria”, a topic that drew intense reflection from political stakeholders, civil society actors, and observers of Nigerian democracy.

⚠️ Nigeria's Leadership Crisis: A Wake-Up Call from El-Rufai

El-Rufai did not mince words in his speech. He expressed profound worry over the direction in which Nigeria is heading, blaming the country’s troubles not on rural banditry, but on what he described as “urban bandits” — a metaphor for corrupt and self-serving elites who occupy top political offices and control public resources for personal gain.

“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 said.

With this statement, the former governor signaled the possible formation of a new political coalition, perhaps a force that will challenge the current establishment in future elections. He emphasized that unless there is a dramatic change in the quality of leadership in Nigeria, the country may continue on its path of economic stagnation, insecurity, and social unrest.

🏙️ Who Are the Urban Bandits?

El-Rufai introduced the term “urban bandits” to describe those in political power who lack integrity, vision, or the will to serve the people. Unlike the armed bandits terrorizing rural communities, he said, these urban elites are even more dangerous because they wield the instruments of government and policy, but use them to enrich themselves and punish the masses.

“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 declared.

This sharp critique is particularly striking because El-Rufai himself is a known insider of Nigerian politics, having served not just as a governor, but also as a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari during the All Progressives Congress (APC) era.

🧠 The Rise of Incompetent Leaders in Nigeria

Continuing his address, El-Rufai pointed to a deeper systemic issue: the recurring elevation of incompetent and unqualified individuals into powerful positions in government. He criticized the culture of “power for power’s sake”, where people fight for political office not to lead or serve, but simply to control wealth and influence.

“I believe that the problem that we have, which I think (former) Governor Babangida referred to, is that we just get incompetent people and we 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,” El-Rufai said.

This statement echoes the frustration of many Nigerians who feel disconnected from the democratic process, as they often see the same political elites recycling themselves through different positions without delivering real development or progress.

🇳🇬 What This Means for Nigeria’s Future

El-Rufai’s remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with:

• Unemployment and underemployment

• Worsening insecurity in both rural and urban areas

• Inflation and high cost of living

• Poor infrastructure and weak public services

By blaming “urban bandits” for Nigeria’s current woes, El-Rufai is not just pointing fingers. He’s calling for a national awakening, urging both citizens and political actors to reject mediocrity and demand competence, capacity, and character from those who seek public office.

“We must stop electing leaders who lack the skills, experience, and patriotic zeal to drive development. Enough of business as usual,” he urged.

🔄 Towards a Coalition for Change?

Although he did not go into details, El-Rufai hinted at a new political coalition in the works — one that may bring together like-minded leaders and citizens to “take Nigeria back on track.”

“That is why we are together working and conspiring to build a coalition,” he said.

This language has sparked conversations about the possibility of a new third force in Nigerian politics — a movement that could challenge both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in upcoming elections.

Political analysts suggest that a coalition involving prominent figures like El-Rufai and Amaechi could have significant influence, especially if it is driven by the agenda of national reform and not just political ambition.

📢 Weaponization of Poverty: The Bigger Picture

The event where El-Rufai spoke was centered around the theme “Weaponization of Poverty in Nigeria” — a subject that many believe is at the heart of Nigeria’s governance failure.

By keeping the masses poor, uneducated, and dependent, many politicians ensure that voters remain easy to manipulate through handouts and empty promises. This keeps corrupt leaders in power and prevents real development from taking place.

Both El-Rufai and Amaechi have at various times criticized the use of poverty as a political weapon, and the former governor’s speech reinforced the urgent need for systemic change.it reaches a wider audience interested in political reform, governance, and the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai’s speech was more than just political rhetoric — it was a call to action. His message to Nigerians is simple but powerful: Stop handing power to people who don't know what to do with it.

As 2027 draws closer and political realignments begin to take shape, the voices calling for a new kind of leadership — one built on competence, accountability, and service — are growing louder.

Whether or not El-Rufai’s proposed “coalition” will take form remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the choices made in the coming years will either save or sink the nation.