Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu's administration, branding it as the "worst and most corrupt" in Nigeria's history. Speaking to journalists in Katsina on Monday night, el-Rufai didn't hold back, accusing the government of widespread corruption, intolerance, and a penchant for spreading falsehoods.

"This is the worst federal government in Nigerian history and all the indices have shown it," el-Rufai declared. "This is the most corrupt and most intolerant government in Nigeria. This is the most lying government that depends on false propaganda."

El-Rufai specifically targeted the government's claims regarding improvements in national security. He alleged that the administration is fabricating successes against banditry, pointing to the continued presence of notorious bandit leaders like Dogo Gide, Mallam Abba (identified as a Boko Haram terrorist), and Bello Turji. "They lied that security has improved in Nigeria. They read out numbers of bandits killed except the ones we know are the leading bandits," he stated, questioning the veracity of the government's reports.

The former governor argued that the persistent insecurity plaguing various regions of Nigeria stems from the federal government's failure to address the underlying causes of the crisis. He questioned the extent of bandit control in states like Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto, implying a disconnect between the government's narrative and the reality on the ground.

El-Rufai also expressed his belief that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is poised to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election, suggesting a potential shift in the political landscape.

His remarks come in the context of a recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. El-Rufai, along with other prominent political figures such as Aminu Tambuwal, Isa Pantami, Achike Udenwa, Gabriel Suswam, and Jibrilla Bindow, accompanied Abubakar on the visit, which he described as an effort towards "unity and brotherhood." He was in Katsina to condole with Governor Dikko Radda over the death of his mother.