Senator Ali Ndume has raised serious concerns over the composition of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it is increasingly controlled by individuals driven by greed and incompetence.
The senator, who represents Borno South, made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday.
He accused some of the president’s close aides of deceiving him and damaging his public image.
“I see people lying and telling the president what he wants to hear,” Ndume said. “Those who are meant to support him are actually the ones sabotaging him.”
Ndume warned that the current leadership circle around the president is detrimental to national progress, describing them as “kleptocrats” and “kakistocrats.”
Explaining the terms, he said: “Kleptocrats are people in politics for personal enrichment. Kakistocrats are those who occupy positions they are not qualified to hold.”
While he refrained from naming specific individuals, the senator insisted that the impact of their actions is clearly visible in the country’s governance and worsening economic conditions.
“The presidency has been hijacked. These people have practically kidnapped the government and are out of touch with the realities on ground,” Ndume said.
He expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing disconnect between the government and ordinary Nigerians, citing widespread hardship caused by current economic policies.
“The president cannot walk the streets and understand how people truly feel. Even if he steps out, he’s in a tinted vehicle, shielded from the suffering masses,” Ndume added.
Despite acknowledging that President Tinubu has admitted to the hardship and called for patience, Ndume stressed that more needs to be done — especially by listening to those with direct ties to the grassroots.
“It’s people like us, who are close to the public, that should be listened to. We bring real feedback,” he urged. “If the president continues to rely on a detached circle, the crisis will only deepen.”