Tinubu can’t solve Nigeria’s crises alone, says Ndume

President Bola Tinubu cannot tackle Nigeria’s deepening security and economic challenges alone and must broaden consultations while engaging more directly with Nigerians, Senator Ali Ndume said on Thursday after a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The senator representing Borno South said he urged Tinubu to draw on the ideas of experienced Nigerians to confront the country’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship, stressing that no leader could single-handedly solve Nigeria’s complex problems. He also advised the president to communicate personally with citizens rather than relying on aides and government officials.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Ndume said Tinubu welcomed the resumption of their regular consultations and proposed more frequent engagements in a less formal setting to exchange ideas on national issues.

“I actually sought the audience, and I was immediately granted it. The president was also looking forward to meeting with me,” Ndume said, adding that their previous interactions had lapsed but had now resumed.

The lawmaker said insecurity and the worsening cost-of-living crisis dominated their discussions, stressing that collaborative leadership was essential to finding lasting solutions.

“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. “He needs people who can share ideas with him because, as the saying goes, two heads are better than one.”

Ndume said the president encouraged him to continue offering suggestions regularly, including through meetings at his residence where they could discuss national issues without the interruptions common at the Presidential Villa.

The senator said he left the meeting convinced that Tinubu had listened to his concerns and understood the growing frustration among Nigerians over the country’s current economic and security situation.

He also renewed his call for greater accessibility to the president, recalling that in 2024 he criticised Tinubu’s inner circle for shielding him from public realities. Ndume contrasted the current administration with those of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as more accessible to lawmakers.

He urged Tinubu to address Nigerians more frequently, arguing that direct communication would strengthen public confidence in the administration.

“People expect their leader to tell them what is going on instead of allowing others to speak on his behalf,” he said.

On security, Ndume acknowledged recent military gains against bandits and insurgents, noting that sustained operations had led to the elimination of several criminal leaders and the surrender of some commanders. He said Tinubu’s meeting with the service chiefs before receiving him demonstrated the administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

The senator also endorsed the decision by the 19 northern governors to establish a regional security trust fund, saying that stronger collaboration among state governments, the federal government, and security agencies would reinforce ongoing operations. He further urged the government to improve the welfare of Nigerians by addressing the rising cost of petrol, food and transportation while maintaining pressure on criminal groups across the country.

kenneth Athekame

Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.