Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing critique against the current federal government under President Tinubu, labeling it as the worst in Nigeria's history. Speaking in Katsina, El-Rufai accused the administration of widespread corruption, intolerance, and a reliance on false propaganda, particularly regarding the nation's security challenges.

El-Rufai questioned the government's claims of improved security, asserting that many local government areas in states like Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto remain under the control of bandits. He specifically mentioned notorious bandit leaders such as Dogo Gide, Mallam Abba, and Bello Turji, claiming they are still active despite government reports of eliminating bandit leaders. "They lied that security has improved in Nigeria," El-Rufai stated. "They read out numbers of bandits killed except the ones we know are the leading bandits."

He challenged the government to address the root causes of insecurity rather than engage in what he described as a "grand delusion." El-Rufai also questioned the economic well-being of Nigerians, asking whether they can afford basic necessities and whether their salaries retain the same purchasing power as before.

When asked about his support for Tinubu's campaign in 2023, El-Rufai distanced himself from the federal government's actions, emphasizing his focus on his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023. He acknowledged his role in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC) and campaigning for President Buhari and the current president but stressed that he was never part of the federal government.

El-Rufai also discussed his involvement with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stating his intention to help build the party from the ground up. He highlighted the SDP's historical credibility but acknowledged the significant work required to increase its national presence. "We have to build it just as we built the APC from the ground up," he said. "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."

Responding to the APC chairman's assertion that Tinubu cannot be unseated in 2027, El-Rufai dismissed the remark with silence, stating that "silence is usually the best answer to people like that." He reiterated his harsh assessment of the current administration, stating, "The quality of governance in the country is appalling. This is the worst government in Nigeria’s history... Nigerians will challenge them. Nigerians will teach them a lesson. Nigerians will put their arrogance to rest by the special grace of God.”

El-Rufai clarified that his presence in Katsina was primarily to condole with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on the death of his mother and to connect with political leaders, including his former classmate and the current state chairman of the SDP, to discuss the party's future.