Ndume Accuses Tinubu’s Government of Being Hijacked by Kleptocrats
Senator Ali Ndume has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of being hijacked by kleptocrats and kakistocrats, claiming that corrupt and incompetent individuals have taken control of government affairs and are misleading the president about the worsening condition of the country.
The senator, who represents Borno South and was recently removed as Senate Chief Whip, made the comments during a press briefing at the National Assembly and in a subsequent television interview.
According to Ndume, those surrounding the president are “the worst, least qualified, most unscrupulous” individuals who are out of touch with the reality of Nigerians’ suffering.
“This government is going down because it is now run by kakistocrats and kleptocrats. A few individuals with no sense of the people’s suffering have taken control. The president is caged, isolated from the truth. He doesn’t even know how bad things are,” Ndume said.
Ndume’s remarks come amid rising economic hardship, with inflation reportedly over 40 percent and the cost of basic food staples soaring across the country.
He expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s disconnect from ordinary Nigerians, saying that citizens are experiencing hunger and despair while senior officials offer false assurances to the president.
“They always give him the impression that everything is okay. But it is not. People are hungry,” he stated.
Shortly after his public outburst, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership removed Ndume from his position as Senate Chief Whip. He was replaced by Senator Mohammed Monguno of Borno North.
The move followed complaints from within the party over Ndume’s repeated criticisms of the administration.
Despite issuing an apology to APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for the manner in which he aired his views, Ndume stood by his position and described his comments as an act of patriotism.
“I am a party man, and I accept the decision of the leadership. However, my conscience is clear. I spoke as a patriot, not out of malice,” he said.
The senator’s statements have sparked mixed reactions within the political space. While some party members have urged caution, others believe Ndume’s comments reflect growing discontent within the ruling party.
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi, advised Ndume to tone down his rhetoric, warning that such language could deepen national divisions.
An Abuja-based policy group, the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), dismissed Ndume’s allegations as “self-serving blackmail,” stating that he could have used internal party channels to express his concerns.
Nevertheless, political observers say Ndume’s comments reflect broader frustration over the current state of governance. The Tinubu administration, which came to power in 2023, has faced criticism over economic policies, the devaluation of the naira, high unemployment, and ongoing insecurity across various regions.
Analysts suggest the rest situation could signal deeper divisions within the APC as it approaches midterm.
“Ndume may be voicing what many insiders are quietly thinking. There’s a growing sense that the Tinubu presidency is losing touch with the grassroots,” said Dr. Kemi Ogundipe, a political science lecturer at the University of Lagos.
Despite the political fallout, Ndume remains defiant and says he will not stop speaking out.
“They can take away my title, but they can’t take away my voice. I will always stand with the people of Nigeria,” he declared.
With tensions within the APC rising, the months ahead may determine whether the administration takes corrective steps or faces growing internal resistance as economic pressures deepen nationwide.
