ABUJA — Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has raised a high-decibel alarm over what he describes as the dangerous drift of Nigeria’s security architecture from safeguarding citizens to merely protecting the “incumbents in power.”
In a pointed state-of-the-nation address titled “National Security, Justice, and the People’s Wellbeing: Reclaiming the Purpose of Power,” released on Monday, February 9, 2026, the former governor warned that Nigeria is rapidly trading “National Security” for “Regime Security.” He cautioned that using state instruments to stifle dissent is a “strategically disastrous” path that could lead to the collapse of the country’s democracy.
Regime Protection vs. National Interest
El-Rufai’s critique centers on the alleged repurposing of the nation’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies—specifically the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, and anti-graft bodies like the EFCC and ICPC—as tools for political vendettas.
“National security exists so that citizens can live in peace, dignity, and without fear. It should not be about protecting those who temporarily occupy power,” El-Rufai asserted. He argued that treating political opposition and criticism as security threats erodes public trust and distracts agencies from their core mandate of combating terrorism and violent crime.
Selective Justice and the ‘APC Immunity’
The former governor, once a core insider of the ruling party, did not mince words regarding the perceived lopsidedness of current anti-corruption and security operations. He alleged that a disturbing trend has emerged where only members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seem to be “free of corruption allegations,” while critics and their families face “collective punishment” through selective investigations.
“There is a clear difference between protecting the country and protecting a regime,” he noted, adding that true justice must remain “blind to political affiliation.”
A Nation Under Pressure
El-Rufai’s warning arrives at a time of extreme friction across the federation:
- The Washington Snub: His comments coincide with the international fallout from the First Lady’s U.S. visit, where advocates like Judd Saul accused the government of a “propaganda cover-up” while 300 Christians were reportedly killed in 72 hours.
- The Electoral Protest: While El-Rufai spoke of institutional decay, Mr. Peter Obi was at the National Assembly gates joining protesters to demand Electoral Act reforms, arguing that the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission is a move to secure “regime survival” in 2027.
- The ‘Villa Peace’: The recent reconciliation between Nyesom Wike and Gov. Sim Fubara is seen by critics as another example of “top-down” political management that prioritizes elite stability over constitutional process.
Reclaiming the Purpose of Power
Calling for a return to a “human-centered” security framework, El-Rufai urged security agencies to swear their allegiance to the Constitution rather than to individual officeholders. He warned that democracies where agencies serve incumbents risk becoming radicalized, discouraging economic investment and deepening national insecurity.
“National security belongs to the Nigerian people, not to those occupying public office,” he concluded, joining the chorus of leaders like David Mark and Solomon Dalung who are increasingly calling for a total overhaul of the current governance model.
