Nigeria at 65: El-Rufai Calls for True Federalism, Credible Elections, and Elite Consensus to Fix National Challenges
Story: Written Uzuh Rita October 1,2025
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called for true federalism, fair elections, and a united elite consensus to drive the nation’s progress and stability.
El-Rufai made the appeal while addressing clergy, professionals, and citizens in Owerri, the Imo State capital, stressing the urgent need for a collective vision to overcome Nigeria’s deep-rooted structural challenges.
He noted that while Nigeria has recorded some democratic gains since 1999, voter participation has sharply declined—from over 60 percent in 2003 to just 27 percent in 2023—reflecting widespread disillusionment with the electoral process.
“The evidence compels us to say it plainly. Nigeria is the world’s most populous Black nation, projected to exceed 400 million by 2050, yet remains structurally fragile,” El-Rufai warned.
Highlighting the country’s pressing problems, the former FCT Minister pointed to widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, inflation, and mounting public debt as key threats to national stability.
According to him, the way forward lies in building a new elite consensus—an agreement among political leaders, business stakeholders, and civil society on a unified direction for the nation.
