Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, has raised significant concerns about the country’s rising cost of living and an impending food scarcity crisis.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its closed-door policy, which he claims prevents even ministers and National Assembly members from engaging in meaningful discussions with the President.
“The closed-door policy of the government is a major obstacle. Even ministers and lawmakers find it difficult to have meaningful discussions with the President,” Ndume stated, reflecting widespread frustration among legislators and their constituents.
Ndume’s comments come after he, along with Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, introduced a motion to address Nigeria’s worsening food crisis. He highlighted a warning from the World Food Programme, which predicts that 82 million Nigerians could face food insecurity within the next five years, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“Our objective is to urgently draw the government’s attention to the severity of this food crisis affecting countless Nigerians,” Ndume stressed. “We urgently need the President’s intervention on both the soaring cost of living and food shortages.”
Drawing comparisons with the dire situations in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, Ndume warned of similar signs emerging in Nigeria. Despite assurances from the government, he expressed disappointment at the lack of concrete action taken to address the crisis.
“We implore the government to work with experts and stakeholders to find immediate solutions,” he urged.
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