SENATOR Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South and previously served as Senate Chief Whip, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it has been overtaken by individuals he describes as “kleptocrats” and “kakistocrats.”
Speaking in an interview today, Ndume expressed deep concern over the quality and motives of those surrounding the president.
He alleged that instead of advising the president truthfully, many aides are more interested in telling him what he wants to hear.
“The people who should be helping him are actually misleading him and tarnishing his image,” Ndume said. “They’ve hijacked the presidency and are doing more harm than good.”
According to the senator, these individuals lack the competence and integrity necessary for their roles. “Kakistocrats,” he explained, refers to those who are unqualified for the offices they hold, while “kleptocrats” are only interested in using politics for personal enrichment.
Though he refrained from naming specific individuals, Ndume emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
He also criticized the administration’s apparent detachment from the daily struggles of average Nigerians, pointing out that economic policies have worsened the hardship for many.
“The president cannot truly understand what the people are going through because he’s too shielded,” Ndume remarked.
“He travels in tinted vehicles and is insulated from reality. People are suffering, and while the president has acknowledged the hardship, more needs to be done.”
Ndume urged President Tinubu to listen more to lawmakers and officials with grassroots connections.
He warned that continuing to rely on a disconnected inner circle could escalate the nation’s challenges.
“Feedback should come from those of us close to the people. The situation in the country is very dire,” he added.
Ndume’s comments reflect a growing wave of internal dissent within the Tinubu administration, as frustrations over economic conditions and governance issues continue to mount nearly a year into his presidency.