Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume has expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu is unaware of the severe hunger and discontent affecting Nigerians. Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume criticized the isolation of the President, alleging that Tinubu is surrounded by advisors who shield him from the harsh realities facing the country.
Ndume’s comments followed a Senate resolution urging the federal government to tackle the escalating hunger crisis or risk facing public outrage. The resolution was co-sponsored by Ndume and Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Committee on Senate Services, under the motion titled, “Urgent Need to address food insecurity and market exploitation of consumables in Nigeria.”
Addressing the media, Ndume stated, “Mr. President is not in the picture of what is happening outside the villa. He has been fenced off and caged. So many of us won’t go through the backdoor to engage him.”
Ndume criticized the lack of direct communication between the President and the public, pointing out that the President’s only public communications come through his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale. He warned that the increasing anger among Nigerians, coupled with the government’s inaction on food scarcity, could lead to severe consequences.
“There is unavailability of food. Food crisis is the worst crisis that any nation can encounter. If we add that to security crisis, it will be severe,” Ndume warned. He stressed the importance of having a national food reserve and criticized the government’s handling of the issue.
He further urged President Tinubu to break free from the isolation imposed by his advisors and engage with selfless Nigerians who can provide him with the unvarnished truth about the country’s situation. “The president should wake up, it seems he isn’t in the picture of what is happening because he has been caged off,” Ndume said. “He has been fenced off by plutocrats. He should open his doors and meet those who will tell him the truth.”
Ndume also expressed his personal concern for the President and the country, describing the compounded issues of food scarcity and the menace of herders, which he believes are not being adequately addressed by the stakeholders.
“The menace of herders has also compounded the issues around food scarcity,” Ndume stated, calling for a more forthright approach in addressing these challenges.
