Former Senate Leader Advises Tinubu to Speak Directly to Nigerians on Economy, Insecurity

Former Senate Leader and Borno South lawmaker, Senator Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to engage Nigerians directly on pressing national issues rather than leaving such communication to aides and spokespersons.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, Ndume said citizens deserved to hear from their leader in person, especially on the economy and the country's deteriorating security situation. He argued that the President had been away from public communication for too long at a time when citizens desperately needed to hear from him.

Recounting the exchange, the former Senate Chief Whip quoted himself as telling Tinubu that Nigerians expect their leader to explain developments personally, rather than have other people speak on the President's behalf. He said Tinubu received the suggestion positively and promised to give it consideration.

Ndume disclosed that his scheduled 3pm appointment with the President was delayed because Tinubu was in a security meeting with the nation's service chiefs, a development he described as a sign that the administration was taking the security crisis seriously.

On the fight against banditry, the senator struck an optimistic note. He said criminal groups operating across the North-West, North-East and other parts of the country were now under sustained pressure, with some commanders killed and others surrendering to security forces, adding that the gains could prove lasting if the momentum was sustained.

Beyond security, Ndume used the meeting to press the President on broader governance concerns. He criticized aspects of Tinubu's current team, arguing that some aides were disconnected from Nigeria's political realities, and cautioned that growing discontent in the north could weigh on the next election if left unaddressed. Separately, he reminded Tinubu that no single leader could resolve Nigeria's challenges alone and encouraged the President to draw on a wider pool of ideas, particularly on the rising cost of petrol, food and transportation.

The senator also lent his support to a regional initiative by northern governors to establish a security trust fund, describing it as a useful complement to federal efforts against terrorism and banditry, and called for closer coordination between federal, state and security institutions.

Reaction to Ndume's disclosure has been mixed among Nigerians online, with some welcoming the push for direct presidential communication as a trust-building measure, while others argued that Nigerians need concrete action on the economy and security more than speeches.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.

International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP

mustysallama@gmail.com
+233-555-275-880
Sources:
Vanguard News, "Speak directly to Nigerians, not through aides, Ndume tells Tinubu," July 2026 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/07/speak-directly-to-nigerians-not-through-aides-ndume-tells-tinubu/

Legit.ng,

"Senator Ndume advises Tinubu to speak directly to Nigerians after meeting," July 2026 https://www.legit.ng/politics/1718518-what-i-discussed-tinubu-durinmg-visit-ndume-opens-up/

THISDAYLIVE, "Ndume to Tinubu: Talk to Nigerians Directly, Not Via Aides, Hails Security Move," July 10, 2026 https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/07/10/ndume-to-tinubu-talk-to-nigerians-directly-not-via-aides-hails-security-move/

The Eagle Online, "Ndume to Tinubu: Address Nigerians directly, not through aides" https://theeagleonline.com.ng/ndume-to-tinubu-address-nigerians-directly-not-through-aides/

Daily Nigerian, "Tinubu can't solve Nigeria's problems alone, needs more ideas Ndume" https://dailynigerian.com/tinubu-cant-solve-nigerias-problems-alone-needs-more-ideas-ndume/

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