Ndume: ‘I Told Tinubu Nigerians Want to Hear From Their President’

Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South Senatorial District says he has advised President Bola Tinubu to speak directly to Nigerians on the country’s challenges rather than allowing others to communicate on his behalf, revealing that the President promised to consider the suggestion.

Ndume disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing their discussions as “fruitful and useful.”

The senator said he had requested an audience with the President, which was promptly granted, adding that both men agreed to resume regular consultations focused on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

According to Ndume, President Tinubu suggested that future meetings should be held more frequently, including informal discussions outside the office environment, to allow for deeper engagement on national issues.

“The President alone cannot solve all the problems,” Ndume said. “He needs people who can share ideas with him because, as they say, two heads are better than one.”

He said their discussions centred on Nigeria’s security situation and the economic hardship facing citizens, noting that he offered his views on possible solutions while the President listened and took note of his recommendations.

Although he declined to reveal the details of some private conversations, Ndume said he was satisfied that he had expressed his concerns directly to the President instead of through television interviews.

On insecurity, the senator described it as Nigeria’s greatest challenge, noting that threats had spread beyond the North-East to other parts of the country, including the North-West, North-Central and South-West.

He, however, commended the military and security agencies for recent gains against criminal groups, particularly in the South-East and North-East, citing the elimination of some terrorist leaders and the surrender of several commanders.

Ndume said he was encouraged by the President’s commitment to security, pointing to a meeting with the service chiefs that delayed his scheduled appointment.

He expressed confidence that sustained military pressure would further weaken terrorist and bandit groups.

“The tempo must be maintained,” he said. “These are ragtag people that cannot stand up to the military if the necessary commitment is sustained.”

Beyond security, Ndume urged the Federal Government to pay greater attention to the welfare of Nigerians by tackling rising fuel prices, food inflation and transportation costs.

He stressed that government efforts should be better coordinated and more effectively communicated to the public.

“I advised the President to speak directly to Nigerians,” Ndume said. “Nigerians expect their leader to tell them what is going on instead of other people speaking on his behalf. It has been a while since he addressed Nigerians directly, and that is very important.”

Reacting to the decision of 19 northern governors to establish a regional security trust fund, Ndume described the initiative as a welcome development, saying security should not be left solely to the Federal Government.

He called for collaboration between state governments and existing federal security institutions to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

The senator also reiterated his longstanding position that terrorists should not be spared in combat.

“Once you identify a terrorist, you don’t spare him because if you don’t kill him, he will kill you,” he said. “There is nothing to hold back on that.”

Ndume maintained that closer cooperation between all levels of government, sustained military operations and stronger communication from the President would help restore public confidence and improve Nigeria’s security and economic outlook.