As Nigeria faces deepening economic turmoil and rising insecurity, political rifts within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are widening. In a blunt interview on Channels Television Sunday night, Senator Ali Ndume, the veteran lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, warned that no amount of elite endorsements or political defections will save President Bola Tinubu from the wrath of a disillusioned electorate.
This candid critique highlights the growing disconnect between Nigeria’s political elite and its struggling populace, as Tinubu marked his second year in office amid mounting public frustration.
Tinubu’s Two-Year Report Card: Public Discontent Rising
When President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, many Nigerians hoped his political acumen and reformist agenda would usher in economic growth and national stability. Two years on, the mood has soured.
Soaring inflation, persistent insecurity, and controversial economic policies; including the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the naira; have fueled widespread public anger.
Senator Ndume, a four-time senator and one of the North’s most influential political voices, remains a loyal APC member but an outspoken critic of many aspects of Tinubu’s governance.
Federal Character in Appointments: Progress and Pitfalls
Ndume acknowledged some improvements in federal appointments following his intervention:
“Section 14(3) of the Constitution states that every appointment must reflect federal character… every tribe, state, and region must feel they belong,” he said.
“The president corrected the imbalance after I raised it, appointing over 24 Northerners to key positions.”
However, he also delivered a searing critique of the administration’s internal dynamics:
“If there were no kakistocrats (unqualified individuals) and kleptocrats (those driven purely by self-enrichment), we would be better off,” he asserted. “These people have more or less kidnapped the president.”
Ndume added: “I still believe the president did not take power to make Nigerians suffer.
“But he cannot do it alone. He needs competent, honest people — and too many right now are harming his image and the country.”
He lamented what he called a culture of “heightened servility” within the administration:
“Everyone is trying to please the president instead of telling him the truth.”
Economic Crisis: “Nigerians Cannot Afford to Live”
Ndume delivered some of his strongest remarks on the economy:
“The purchasing power of Nigerians has gone down. Even with a minimum wage increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, inflation has wiped out any real benefit,” he said. “Nigerians cannot afford to live. They are finding it very difficult to survive.”
While acknowledging global factors, he blamed poor policy choices and weak economic management for worsening the crisis.
Worsening Insecurity: A National Concern
On security, Ndume painted a bleak picture: “The security situation is relapsing. In Borno, we thought things were improving, but the situation is getting terrible again,” he warned.
He cited a recent attack on the town of Buratai, where insurgents burned military equipment and assets.
“The situation is bad across all six geopolitical zones, except for some relative calm in the South-West. Without security and welfare, the core constitutional duties of government — nothing else will matter,”
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APC’s Endorsement Politics: An Empty Gesture?
Ndume also took aim at the APC’s recent staged endorsement of Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
At a party summit that turned into an endorsement rally, Ndume stood alone in dissent:
“I was there. I was the only voice that said ‘nay.’ When I realized it was no longer a summit but an endorsement rally, I left.”
He drew parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s failed 2015 re-election bid:
“Jonathan had 22 governors backing him. What happened? He lost woefully. You cannot deceive the people. Politicians are decamping, but the voters are not decamping.”
Is Tinubu Being Deceived by Aides?
When asked if the president understands public sentiment, Ndume expressed deep concern: “The president cannot go out on the streets like I do to know how the people feel.
“He rides in a tinted glass car; he does not see what is happening on the ground.”
He accused presidential aides of shielding Tinubu from reality and called for a shake-up to bring in credible, independent voices.
Federal Character Violations: Ndume Sounds Alarm
In an earlier interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time in April, Ndume accused Tinubu of violating the federal character principle in political appointments:
“Section 14(3) of the constitution is very clear. Appointments, especially political ones, must reflect Nigeria’s diversity. That is not the case here.”
Ndume insisted his remarks were not a personal attack but a constitutional duty:
“We are supposed to oversee the acts of the president and point out irregularities. This is what we swore to do.”
Ndume Alleges $9.45 Billion Borrowed Without Assembly Approval
Ndume also alleged that the Tinubu administration borrowed $9.45 billion without National Assembly approval for questionable projects:
“I’m not against borrowing. But my worry is what we are borrowing for,” he said.
He cited examples, including: $500 million for a women’s programme; $800 million for fuel subsidy relief; $700 million for adolescent girls initiatives; $750 million for renewable energy scale-up; $1.5 billion for economic stabilisation and $750 million for technical support.
When asked if these loans were approved by lawmakers, he replied: “Not to my knowledge.”
Presidency Fires Back: “Hypocrisy and Misinformation”
In response, Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed Ndume’s claims as hypocritical and misleading.
Posting on X (@aonanuga1956), Onanuga noted that two of Ndume’s kinsmen hold key NNPC appointments — contradicting the senator’s allegations of tribal bias.
“Senator Ndume’s outburst reeks of hypocrisy and selective perception. He is more interested in headline-chasing and rabble-rousing than offering constructive criticism.”
Onanuga maintained that Tinubu’s appointments are based on merit and national spread:
“President Tinubu is deeply committed to fostering a government that embraces all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or regional affiliations.”
A Warning for Tinubu and the APC
Senator Ndume’s bold statements reflect growing unrest within the APC and an early warning for the Tinubu administration.
As the 2027 elections approach, the true battleground will not be party summits or staged endorsements — but the hearts and minds of ordinary Nigerians. Many, as Ndume observed, are “not happy” and increasingly skeptical of government promises.
