Senator Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Tinubu to engage Nigerians more directly, saying the country needs to hear from its leader at a time of worsening economic hardship and persistent security challenges.
The Borno South senator made the appeal on Thursday after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he said their discussions centred on insecurity, the economy and the welfare of citizens.
According to Ndume, he advised Tinubu to communicate personally with Nigerians instead of relying on aides and spokespersons, adding that the President assured him he would consider the suggestion.
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“I told Mr President that he should reach out more. I also advised him, and he promised to look into it and speak directly to Nigerians. People expect their leader to tell them what is going on instead of allowing others to speak on his behalf.”
The lawmaker noted that it had been some time since Tinubu last addressed Nigerians directly on national issues, stressing that stronger presidential communication would help reassure citizens during difficult times.
Ndume disclosed that the meeting was held at his request and described the conversation as productive, revealing that the President proposed making such engagements more frequent.
He said Tinubu suggested future consultations could take place in a more relaxed environment outside the formal setting of the Presidential Villa to encourage frank discussions and idea-sharing.
“The President alone cannot solve all the country’s problems. He needs people who can contribute ideas because two heads are better than one,” Ndume said.
On security, the former Senate Leader expressed optimism over recent military operations across parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West, saying criminal groups were facing sustained pressure.
He disclosed that his scheduled meeting with the President was delayed because Tinubu was meeting with the service chiefs, describing the development as evidence that the administration was giving security issues urgent attention.
“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, while some commanders surrendered yesterday. If this momentum is sustained, we are confident the problem will eventually come to an end,” he said.
Ndume, however, warned that insecurity had expanded beyond its traditional strongholds and now affected several regions, including the North-Central, South-West and parts of the South-East, where he noted that separatist violence had reduced but still required attention.
Beyond security, the senator urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ease the cost-of-living crisis, pointing to rising fuel prices, transportation costs and food inflation as issues demanding urgent coordination.
“We have all it takes to address these challenges. What is needed is better coordination so Nigerians can begin to see the impact of government policies,” he stated.
Ndume also backed recent proposals by 19 northern governors to establish a regional security trust fund, saying security should remain a shared responsibility between federal and state authorities.
He argued that the initiative should complement existing security institutions rather than replace them.
On calls for tougher action against terrorists and bandits, Ndume said security forces should not hesitate to neutralise armed criminals once identified.
“You don’t spare a bandit or a terrorist. Once you identify a terrorist, you should deal with him because if you don’t, he will kill you,” he said.
Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that restoring security remains one of his administration’s top priorities, with ongoing military operations targeting terrorist groups, bandits and other criminal networks across the country.
