Speak Directly To Nigerians’ — Ndume Reveals Tinubu’s Response On Insecurity

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has disclosed details of his private meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, saying their discussions focused on the country’s security challenges and economic situation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Ndume described insecurity and the economy as Nigeria’s most pressing concerns.

According to the senator, President Tinubu demonstrated his commitment to tackling insecurity by holding a meeting with the nation’s service chiefs before receiving him.

“I had an appointment for 3 p.m., but I had to wait because the President was in a security meeting. As you could see, the service chiefs were there. That shows the President is taking the issue seriously,” Ndume said.

He noted that security operations had intensified across parts of the country, particularly in the North-West, where security forces are confronting bandits, and in the North-East, where several insurgent leaders have reportedly been neutralised while others have surrendered.

Ndume also pointed to what he described as improved security in the South-East, saying incidents of separatist-related violence had reduced considerably.

“The situation in the South-East is no longer what it used to be. The President, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies deserve commendation for the progress being made,” he said.

The lawmaker further welcomed the decision by the 19 Northern governors to establish a regional security trust fund, describing it as a positive initiative that would strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments in addressing insecurity.

He stressed that security should not be left solely to the Federal Government, adding that greater collaboration and resource sharing would enhance the country’s security architecture.

On the economy, Ndume urged the Tinubu administration to improve coordination of its intervention programmes to ease the hardship facing Nigerians and reduce the rising cost of living.

According to him, the country has the resources required to address many of its challenges if government efforts are properly coordinated.

Ndume also revealed that he advised President Tinubu to communicate more frequently with Nigerians through regular nationwide addresses rather than relying on aides to explain government policies.

“I told Mr. President that he should speak directly to Nigerians. People want to hear from their leader and understand what is happening instead of having others speak on his behalf. That is very important,” he said.

The senator disclosed that President Tinubu welcomed the suggestion and agreed on the need for regular consultations on national issues.

He added that Nigeria’s challenges require collective efforts and that the President would benefit from engaging more stakeholders in the search for lasting solutions.

“A country like Nigeria will naturally face challenges, and no president can solve all the problems alone. He needs people who can contribute ideas because two heads are better than one,” Ndume stated.