Nigerian Govt now run by kleptocrats – Ndume

The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Ali Ndume says the Nigerian government is now being run by “kleptocrats”.

Ndume made this statement in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday monitored by DAILY POST.

According to him, “The government is also populated by kleptocrats, but unfortunately that is not what the President is up to; he really meant renewed hope, but you can only do that when you have people around you that are on the same type of thinking.”

The lawmaker said he is worried about recent government policies, such as the cyber crime levy, which faced public opposition.

“When the President realized that he had not heard about it, he quickly suspended it.”

He highlighted the significant challenge of hunger and food scarcity, mentioning that inflation has risen to 40 per cent.

“In some places, even with your money, you won’t find the food items you want to buy, which is very dangerous,” Ndume added.

The Borno-born legislator explained that Nigeria has never been included among countries facing severe food crises or food insecurity, but recent UN and World Food Programme figures rank Nigeria as a hotspot.

He berated the limited access to the President, stating that some ministers only meet the President during council meetings and that the President is often the first to leave.

Ndume emphasized the need for the President to harness Nigeria’s natural and human resources, urging him to “get the right people into office” and dominate his government with democrats.

He supported the removal of the fuel subsidy, hoping it would eliminate corruption and allow savings to benefit the people.

He, however, suggested the introduction of food stamps to manage the subsidy issue better.

The senator recounted sending messages to people in the Presidential Villa about public anger, only to receive responses blaming the opposition.