SENATOR Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has said President Bola Tinubu cannot single-handedly resolve Nigeria’s numerous challenges, stressing the need for people with ideas to support the administration in tackling the country’s security and economic difficulties.
News Point Nigeria reports that Ndume made the remarks on Thursday while speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
The senator said he personally requested an audience with the President and was granted the meeting immediately, adding that Tinubu was also interested in reconnecting with him.
“I actually sought the audience, and I was immediately granted it. The president was also looking forward to meeting with me,” Ndume said.
“We used to have this interaction before, but somehow it stopped. Now, the interaction has resumed.”
The former Senate Chief Whip recalled that in 2024, he had complained about difficulties accessing the President, alleging that Tinubu had been “shielded from reality” by some of his appointees.
He described former President Muhammadu Buhari as a more accessible leader, noting that Buhari served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023.
Ndume also compared the current administration with that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying that despite Obasanjo’s age at the time, lawmakers and ministers had easier access to him.
“During the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, who was older than our president is now, in 24 hours, any senator had access to him; ministers go in and out. That is politics. You talk to the people and hear from the people,” he said.
Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007.
Ndume said his regular engagements with the President were aimed at offering ideas and suggestions on how to address the country’s complex challenges.
“Normally, when I come here, it is to offer my ideas as a Nigerian on how to help solve some of the many and complex problems facing this country,” he said.
The senator described his discussion with Tinubu as “very fruitful and useful”, adding that the President expressed willingness to continue such engagements regularly in a more relaxed environment.
“We had a very fruitful and useful discussion, and the president even insisted that we should do this regularly, not necessarily in the office where people are always rushing in and out, but in a more relaxed setting, perhaps at his residence, so we can think together about how to solve some of these problems,” Ndume stated.
He stressed that no Nigerian president could solve the country’s challenges alone, noting that collective thinking and collaboration were necessary.
“He needs people who can share ideas with him because, as the saying goes, two heads are better than one. You have your ideas; I have mine. When we put them together, we can come up with solutions,” he said.
Ndume disclosed that insecurity and economic hardship were among the major issues discussed during his meeting with the President.
“That is exactly what we discussed today, particularly on insecurity, which is troubling the country, and on the economic hardship, which is a global issue caused by certain factors. We discussed how best to address these challenges,” he said.
The senator said he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, adding that the President was aware that many Nigerians, including himself, were unhappy with the current situation.
“I feel fulfilled because I have spoken my mind, and the president is also aware that many people, myself included, are not comfortable with the current situation,” Ndume said.
He also advised President Tinubu to communicate more directly with Nigerians rather than allowing others to speak on his behalf.
“That is what I told Mr President: he should reach out more. I also advised him, and he promised to look into it, to speak directly to Nigerians,” he stated.
According to Ndume, Nigerians expect their leaders to personally explain government policies and challenges.
“People expect their leader to tell them what is going on, instead of allowing others to speak on his behalf. It has been a while since he has spoken directly to Nigerians, and that is very important,” he added.
The lawmaker said Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity was evident, pointing out that the President had just concluded a meeting with service chiefs before receiving him.
“Even today, I had to wait because my appointment was for 3 pm, but there was a security meeting. As you can see, the service chiefs came in, which shows that the president is taking the matter seriously,” Ndume said.
He noted that ongoing military operations had increased pressure on bandits and criminal groups across the country.
“There has been a lot of pressure recently on bandits in the north-west, the north-east, and elsewhere,” he said.
“Some of their leaders have been taken out, and some of their commanders surrendered yesterday. If this momentum is sustained, we are confident that the problem will eventually end.”
Ndume, however, urged the government to pay greater attention to the welfare of Nigerians by addressing the rising costs of petrol, food and transportation.
He also backed recent calls for tougher action against terrorists and supported the decision by the 19 northern states’ governors to establish a regional security trust fund.
“I have said this before. You don’t spare a bandit or a terrorist. Once you identify a terrorist, you should deal with him, because if you don’t kill him, he will kill you. So, there is nothing to argue about there,” he said.
The senator said the proposed northern security trust fund would complement the efforts of the Federal Government and existing security agencies.
“You should not leave the responsibility only to the federal government. Now that they have agreed to contribute funds, those institutions should collaborate with the existing security framework,” he said.
“Two heads are better than one. In our own way of saying it, the more, the merrier. If you have more people on the ground pressing the fight, that is a good thing,” Ndume added.