El-Rufai Calls for Federalism, Elite Consensus to Secure Nigeria’s Future
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on Nigerians to embrace true federalism, credible elections, and an elite consensus as the foundation for the country’s stability and progress over the next 65 years.
El-Rufai made this appeal while engaging clergy, professionals, and citizens in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where he stressed the urgent need for a shared national vision to address Nigeria’s lingering structural challenges.
He noted that despite democratic gains since the return to civil rule in 1999, public participation in elections has drastically declined.
“Voter turnout has fallen from over 60 percent in 2003 to barely 27 percent in 2023, reflecting growing estrangement from the electoral process,” he observed.
According to him, Nigeria, projected to surpass 400 million people by 2050, remains structurally fragile despite being the world’s most populous Black nation.
The former FCT Minister listed widespread poverty, youth unemployment, inflation, and rising public debt as urgent issues that threaten the country’s stability.
He emphasized that the solution lies in forging a new elite consensus — an agreement among political leaders, business stakeholders, and civil society on the nation’s direction.
“Nigeria needs an elite consensus to define our national priorities, strengthen federalism, and restore faith in the electoral process,” El-Rufai said.
