By Our Correspondent
Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, has expressed strong criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, alleging that it is dominated by officials who lack competence and integrity. He also raised concerns about the country’s absence of ambassadors in key foreign missions.
Speaking in an interview earlier this week, Ndume said that since the Tinubu government took office, Nigeria has not had ambassadors in many countries and currently lacks an effective representative at the United Nations.
Since the Tinubu government came into office, we do not have ambassadors anywhere. We do not even have a representative at the United Nations, Ndume said. The government is dominated by kakistocrats and kleptocrats. If you want to see the President, they will ask you, How much?
The senator from Borno South accused some presidential aides of shielding the President from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, adding that many in government are more interested in personal gain than public service.
Ndume, who played a key role in the ruling All Progressives Congress’s rise to power, warned that such practices could harm both the image of the Tinubu administration and the reputation of the party ahead of future elections.
The President needs people who will tell him the truth, not those who only say what he wants to hear, he said. Nigerians are suffering. The people are hungry, and the government appears disconnected from their pain.
Political observers say Ndume’s remarks reflect growing tension within the ruling party over the government’s performance, especially in areas such as economic reform, job creation, and national security.
As of the time of this report, the Presidency has not responded to Senator Ndume’s comments.
