Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has unleashed another blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu, declaring that his administration is worse than any military regime Nigeria has ever endured.
El-Rufai, speaking during a solidarity visit by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja residence, described Tinubu’s leadership as “a disgrace to democracy.”
He accused the APC-led government of sliding toward authoritarianism, centralising power, and undermining the very principles of federalism.
Atiku had visited El-Rufai after thugs disrupted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) inauguration in Kaduna, an incident that left the opposition pointing fingers at APC loyalists.
Police later summoned El-Rufai and other ADC leaders for questioning, but the former governor insists the violence was an attack on democracy itself.
In his remarks, El-Rufai compared Tinubu to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has clung to power since 1982.
He claimed that Tinubu is showing early signs of seeking a life presidency while disregarding democratic values.
“This government is trying to centralise everything instead of devolving power,” El-Rufai said.
“All those years of claiming to be pro-democracy and NADECO were fake. We are now facing something worse than military dictatorship. If we don’t unite, Tinubu will become Nigeria’s Paul Biya.”
The former Kaduna governor went further, praising Atiku’s past democratic battles.
He recalled that under Atiku and Obasanjo’s administration, dissent was tolerated, and political opponents were not harassed.
He contrasted that with the current climate, where he says civilians in power act with more ruthlessness than the military ever did.
Atiku, in response, commended El-Rufai’s boldness and agreed that Nigeria’s democracy faces its biggest threat since 1999.
He called on all opposition leaders to unite and prepare to remove Tinubu democratically in 2027.
El-Rufai also urged Nigerians to reject the APC at the polls, insisting that citizens are ready for change.
“The people have made up their minds. APC must go. With unity and strong leadership, we will reach the promised land,” he declared.
The fiery exchange underscores deepening cracks in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While Tinubu consolidates his hold on power, opposition leaders are rallying around a narrative that paints him as a dictatorial figure.
The battle lines for 2027 are already being drawn, with El-Rufai positioning himself as one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics.
For now, Nigerians are watching closely as the tension escalates between the presidency and the opposition camp.
The warnings from El-Rufai suggest that the road to 2027 may be more explosive than any election cycle in recent history.
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