Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as the most corrupt and intolerant government Nigeria has seen since the return to democracy in 1999. El-Rufai made these remarks while speaking with journalists in Katsina, where he had gone to commiserate with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on the death of his mother.

“This is the most corrupt and most intolerant government in Nigeria,” El-Rufai declared. “This is the most lying government that depends on false propaganda. They lied that security has improved in Nigeria.” He dismissed claims by the federal government that the security situation has improved, asserting that many communities in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto are still plagued by violent insecurity.

El-Rufai specifically pointed to the continued presence and activity of notorious terrorist leaders, including Dogo Gide, Mallam Abba, and Bello Turji. “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 [say] security has improved,” he said.

The former governor questioned the government’s credibility, asking, “How many local governments are under the occupation of bandits in Katsina State? 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?”

El-Rufai also spoke about his political future, describing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a party of integrity poised to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. “I have said it before, this is the worst Federal Government in Nigerian history and all the indices have shown it,” he concluded.