You’re Trapped: Ndume Blasts Tinubu for Ignoring Food and Security Crisis in the Country

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has publicly voiced concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s current challenges, including severe food shortages and security issues. 

Speaking to the media on July 10, 2024, at the National Assembly in Abuja, Ndume accused the President of being disconnected from the hardships faced by the populace.

The lawmaker said, “Mr President is not in the picture of what is happening outside the Villa. He has been fenced off and caged. So many of us won’t go through the backdoor to engage him.

“Now they have stopped him from talking and he doesn’t have public affairs managers, except that his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, who writes press statements. Nigerians are getting very angry.

“The government is not doing anything about the food scarcity and it needs to do something urgently. We don’t have a food reserve. There is an unavailability of food. Food crisis is the worst crisis that any nation can encounter. If we add that to the security crisis, it will be severe.

“The President should wake up, it seems he isn’t in the picture of what is happening because he has been caged off. He has been fenced off by plutocrats. He should open his doors and meet those who will tell him the truth.

Ndume’s remarks reflect growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians who are struggling with escalating poverty, insecurity, and hunger.

He emphasised the urgency of addressing the food crisis, noting the lack of a national food reserve and the dire consequences of food scarcity which, coupled with the existing security issues, could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Additionally, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan has echoed similar concerns, stating the dramatic increase in food prices following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Lawan warned of potential mass protests if the government fails to take effective action to mitigate the impact of rising food and electricity costs on ordinary Nigerians.