Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South and has previously served as Senate Leader in the 8th Assembly and Chief Whip in the 10th, has spoken about Nigeria’s worsening security situation in an interview with The Nigerian Tribune.
Drawing from his experience as former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ndume provided an insider view on the ongoing debate about whether Nigeria can rely solely on its own security agencies or needs foreign military assistance to properly address the crisis.
When asked if he believed the President was overwhelmed by the insecurity across the country, Ndume disagreed. He maintained that the issue is not about the President being unable to cope but rather about the strategy being used to tackle the problem.
He faulted the excessive concentration of authority around the President, insisting that although the Commander-in-Chief bears ultimate responsibility, leadership should be collective. According to him, governance should reflect the principles of “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” not one centered entirely around one person.
Speaking on the National Assembly’s role, Ndume addressed public criticism that lawmakers appear unconcerned. He clarified that he currently holds no leadership position in the 10th Assembly.
He stressed that while people may judge the legislature as a whole, such criticism should not be directed at him personally. When reminded that he had previously held influential positions as Senate Leader and Chief Whip, Ndume responded, “But what am I now? I am nobody. I am not even a committee chairman. I don’t even have an office.”
