Ndume urges Tinubu to address Nigerians personally on economy, security

FORMER Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to communicate directly with Nigerians instead of relying on aides and spokespersons to relay key government messages.

He said citizens deserve to hear from the president himself, particularly on pressing national issues such as the economy and the worsening security situation, stressing that direct engagement would strengthen public confidence.

Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with Tinubu, the Borno South senator said he advised the president to personally update Nigerians on developments affecting the country. According to him, Tinubu assured him that the suggestion would be considered.

“I advised him, and he promised to look into it, to speak directly to Nigerians. Nigerians would expect that your leader will tell you what is going on, instead of other people talking on behalf of Mr President,” Ndume said.

The former Senate Chief Whip also expressed optimism over the ongoing military operations against armed groups, noting that recent offensives indicate that security agencies are intensifying pressure on bandits and other criminal elements across the country.

He said maintaining the current momentum could significantly weaken the insurgents, adding that the president appeared determined to confront the security crisis. Ndume pointed to the presence of the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa as evidence of the administration’s commitment to addressing the challenge.

According to him, improved coordination among security agencies and sustained military operations would be crucial to restoring peace in affected regions.

Ndume disclosed that bandit groups operating in the North-West, North-East and other parts of the country have come under heavy pressure, with several of their leaders eliminated and some commanders surrendering to security forces.

He said the recent progress offers hope that the security campaign could achieve lasting success if the current pace is maintained.

“There has been a lot of pressure recently on bandits in the North-West, the North-East, and elsewhere. Some of their leaders have been taken out, and some of their commanders surrendered on Thursday. If this tempo is kept, we are sure that this thing will come to an end,” he said.

Ndume further revealed that his meeting with the president started later than scheduled because Tinubu was holding consultations with the nation’s service chiefs over security matters.

“My appointment was for 3 o’clock. I don’t know what came up, but they had a security meeting. As you can see, the service chiefs came in. So that means the president is sitting up,” he added.