Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, has lambasted the current administration, branding it as a “kakistocracy” and accusing it of being overrun by incompetent and corrupt individuals.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Ndume highlighted what he perceives as the alarming ineptitude and self-serving nature of the country’s leaders, asserting that Nigeria’s government is being led by those unfit to govern and prioritising personal interests over national well-being.
Ndume’s criticism underscores the systemic issues plaguing Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The government is going down,” he remarked, “run by kakistocrats and kleptocrats.”
He contended that although President Bola Tinubu had good intentions, aiming to instill renewed hope, the people surrounding him do not share his vision.
“You can only realize such a vision when you have people around you who are on the same type of thinking,” Ndume said.
One of Ndume’s primary concerns is the government’s recent policies, such as the controversial cybercrime levy, which faced significant public backlash.
He praised President Tinubu for quickly suspending the levy upon realizing he had not been fully informed about it, demonstrating responsiveness to public opinion.
However, Ndume pointed out the severe issue of hunger and food scarcity exacerbated by skyrocketing inflation rates, which have surged to 40%.
He noted that in some areas, even those with money struggle to find basic food items, describing the situation as “very dangerous.”
The senator expressed alarm at Nigeria’s newfound status as a hotspot for severe food crises and food insecurity, as indicated by recent United Nations and World Food Programme reports.
This development is unprecedented, as Nigeria has never been listed among countries facing such dire circumstances.
Ndume, reflecting on his personal stakes, stated, “For people like me, I have to be scared because I’m 64 years old with 10 children, 20 grandchildren, and I don’t have a passport or visa to anywhere.”
Ndume also criticized the limited access to President Tinubu, noting that some ministers only meet the president during council meetings, where he is often the first to leave.
He lamented this inaccessibility, contrasting it with the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which senators could secure meetings with the president within 24 hours.
“Obasanjo, as old as he was, made sure any senator could access him within 24 hours,” Ndume recalled.
He argued that current gatekeepers shield President Tinubu, creating an environment where he is isolated from critical feedback and real issues.
The senator emphasised the need for President Tinubu to engage directly with the populace and surround himself with competent individuals.
He urged the president to appoint democrats to key positions and ensure more inclusive governance.
Ndume stressed that this approach would enable the president to harness Nigeria’s potential and address pressing challenges effectively.
“The president needs people who will realize his dream and tell him when something is wrong,” he asserted.
Reflecting on previous administrations, Ndume suggested that even former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, often criticized for its shortcomings, appears more open and accessible compared to the current administration.
He mentioned how during Buhari’s time, ministers and other officials had more direct access to the president, facilitating better communication and governance.
Ndume voiced support for the removal of fuel subsidies, a move he believes could curb corruption and redirect funds to benefit the populace.
However, he proposed introducing food stamps to mitigate the subsidy removal’s impact on vulnerable citizens.
He expressed concern over public discontent, revealing that his messages to officials in the Presidential Villa about the unrest received dismissive responses attributing the discontent to opposition machinations.
Ndume warned that such a dismissive attitude indicates a dangerous disconnect from reality, stating, “When people in power respond like that, I worry for the president and myself; there’s a problem out there.”
Senator Ndume’s scathing indictment of the Tinubu administration calls for immediate and substantial reforms to address the deep-seated issues of incompetence, corruption, and disconnection from the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
His comments resonate as a clarion call for accountability, transparency, and a renewed focus on the well-being of the nation.
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