Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has emerged as a vocal critic of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, asserting that the government is not acting in the best interests of Nigerians. El-Rufai, a self-proclaimed founding father of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who contributed to Tinubu's presidency, questioned the logic of abstaining from criticism if the government is perceived to have 'derailed'. He emphasized that the fundamental purpose of government is to deliver tangible results for its citizens and the nation.

Among his significant criticisms, El-Rufai accused the federal government of adopting a 'kiss-the-bandits' approach, alleging a national policy of negotiating with and compensating armed groups rather than confronting them militarily. He also pointed fingers at the Kaduna State Government, led by his successor Governor Uba Sani, for allegedly sponsoring a recent attack on an African Democratic Congress (ADC) gathering in the state, promising to provide evidence to relevant authorities. The attack reportedly involved suspected thugs, resulting in injuries and property damage. Furthermore, El-Rufai predicted that President Tinubu would finish third in the 2027 presidential election, claiming to have 'done my maths' and concluding there is 'no pathway to win' outright on the first ballot. He urged Nigerians to evaluate the government based on their personal well-being, asking, 'is your life better now under President Tinubu?' Dismissing any ministerial ambitions, he nevertheless noted he was considered for an energy minister role and had a clear roadmap for the sector.

The Presidency swiftly condemned El-Rufai's criticisms, with presidential aide Bayo Onanuga accusing him and other opposition politicians of plotting to remove President Tinubu because they 'feel sidelined in today’s political space'. Onanuga highlighted the perceived contradiction in El-Rufai's stance, given his previous admission that four years might not be sufficient for meaningful change. In contrast, Onanuga lauded President Tinubu's administration for delivering 'tangible results' within just two years, citing 'clear economic progress'. Specific achievements mentioned included foreign reserves reaching their highest in 44 months, the stock market creating over N26 trillion in new wealth, and the All Share Index soaring from 53,000 to over 140,000 points. The Presidency also pointed to a revolutionary loan policy for indigent students through NELFUND, cash support for vulnerable Nigerians via the Humanitarian Ministry, and phenomenal national revenue growth, which significantly benefits states and local councils. Onanuga described critics like El-Rufai as 'power-hungry politicians' who have become 'politically displaced and irrelevant', expressing a strong desire for their 'plot against our nation and people' to fail.

Separately, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) issued a strong rebuttal to El-Rufai's allegations regarding federal security agencies coordinating payments to bandits. In a statement by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA unequivocally dismissed these claims as 'baseless' and contradictory to 'verifiable facts on the ground'. ONSA affirmed that at no point has it, or any arm of the government under the current administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals, instead consistently advising Nigerians against such payments. The agency outlined the government’s dual strategy against banditry, comprising decisive kinetic operations and community engagements to address local grievances. ONSA cited improved peace in previously terror-affected areas of Kaduna State, such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, as evidence of their approach's effectiveness. The ONSA further paid tribute to security personnel who sacrificed their lives in operations, deeming it 'deeply insulting' for a former state governor to deny these sacrifices on national television. They urged El-Rufai and other political actors to cease dragging national security institutions into partisan conflicts, emphasizing that the fight against banditry should not be used for political point-scoring.

Adding to the political friction, El-Rufai clarified his relationship with Governor Uba Sani, stating they were never friends but rather a mentor-mentee duo. He insisted that his history with Sani does not preclude him from commenting if he believes his protégé is 'going astray', despite not speaking with him. El-Rufai has since aligned with an opposition coalition that adopted the ADC as its platform, joining figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. He has also critiqued Nigeria's policing system, observing that security operatives passively witnessed political thugs disrupt the ADC event. His current political stance underscores a significant shift from his previous role as a key member and campaigner for the ruling APC.