Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on Nigerians to adopt true federalism, ensure credible elections, and build an elite consensus as the pillars for the nation’s progress in the coming 65 years.
El-Rufai made these remarks during a discussion with clergy, professionals, and citizens in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
He emphasized the urgent need for a shared vision to tackle Nigeria’s deep-rooted structural challenges.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory also noted that although Nigeria has achieved democratic milestones since 1999, including holding regular elections, voter participation has sharply declined—from over 60 percent in 2003 to just about 27 percent in 2023—indicating a growing disconnection between the public and the electoral process.
“Nigeria is the world’s most populous Black nation, expected to surpass 400 million people by 2050, yet it remains structurally fragile,” El-Rufai remarked.
He highlighted several critical issues threatening the nation’s stability, including high poverty levels, youth unemployment, inflation, and rising public debt.
El-Rufai underscored the necessity of forging a new elite consensus—a shared agreement among political, business, and civil society leaders on the country’s future direction.
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