The lawmaker representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume, has suggested cutting back on certain discretionary government services, including the National Assembly’s activities, to free up funds for tackling the country’s growing insecurity crisis.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ndume proposed that lawmakers meet less frequently, such as quarterly, with their compensation adjusted to reflect the reduced sitting schedule.
He emphasised that public safety and security should be the priority, suggesting that Nigeria should focus on spending in areas that benefit the majority of citizens.
Ndume said, “Urgently, we must discard everything as far as I am concerned, and even if it is necessary to shut down some discretionary services, starting with the National Assembly, we can do that. You can cut it off and ask us to sit, maybe in a quarter, for example.”
The senator further argued that Nigeria’s government spending should be redirected from areas that do not significantly benefit the public to fund critical security measures.
“We sit for some time depending on the workload that we have, and are paid accordingly. And now, the 2025 budget is not running; we are in 2025, but the recurrent and overhead costs are running, and who is benefiting? Less than five per cent of Nigerians, and it is a lot of money. So, why don’t we shut down all these things and use the money to secure the people first?” he said.
“I’ve Been In Trouble Before” — Ndume Unfazed By Potential Backlash
Responding to concerns that his proposal might create friction with his colleagues in the National Assembly, Ndume maintained that he was not worried about potential backlash. Drawing from his long-standing experience in the legislature, he said, “I have been in trouble before so many times.”
He clarified that he was not calling for the complete shutdown of the National Assembly, but rather for a reduction in its activities to free up funds to address the country’s security challenges.
Ndume added, “What I am saying is realistically, our house is on fire, and we need everything to put that fire out. So, if that means the National Assembly will have to reduce their activities so that we pay you less and then use the money to concentrate on security, I am sure many of my colleagues will agree to that.”
Addressing Nigeria’s technological shortcomings in combating insecurity, Ndume expressed concerns about the country’s limited satellite infrastructure. He noted that Nigeria only operates a few satellites, which he believes are inadequate for effective security surveillance.
“You know that one of the fundamental problems we have in the security sector is that we don’t have the ability to track criminals in real time, and the satellite we are talking about, Nigeria has only four and one has issues,” Ndume explained.
The senator pointed out that security agencies are struggling to monitor the activities of terrorists due to inadequate tracking systems, stressing the need for more advanced technology to combat the rising insecurity.
Ndume also highlighted the case of a missing general to underscore the nation’s lack of effective tracking systems.
“Why were we not able to trace the general who was missing in action? It was because we don’t have adequate tracking systems,” he said, pointing to recent cases that exposed Nigeria’s limitations in security infrastructure.
Amid rising attacks and abductions by gunmen and suspected terrorists, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on Wednesday.
Tinubu also ordered the recruitment of additional personnel into the Nigerian Armed Forces and the police force to bolster the nation’s security efforts.
He stated, “Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.
“By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.”
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