Presidency hijacked by deceitful aides, Tinubu being misled — Ali Ndume alleges

Senator Ali Ndume, a former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, has raised alarm over the growing influence of what he describes as dishonest and incompetent aides within President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle, accusing them of misleading the president and damaging his public image.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Ndume claimed that the presidency has been effectively “kidnapped” by individuals whose motives are rooted in self-interest rather than national service.

“I see people lying and telling the president what he wants to hear,” the Borno South senator said. “My position is that the people who are supposed to help him are the ones deceiving him or damaging his image.”

Ndume, a vocal figure in the National Assembly, didn’t mince words, describing those allegedly in control of government affairs as kleptocrats — people who exploit political power for personal gain — and kakistocrats — individuals who are grossly unqualified to hold office.

“They are unrealistic people. I said it before, and I’m not changing my position until they change or the president does something,” he stated. “Kakistocrats are people holding positions they are not supposed to be in, while kleptocrats are those in politics for personal gain, not public service.”

Though he declined to name specific individuals, Ndume warned that the consequences of their actions are already manifesting across the country.

He also highlighted a disconnect between President Tinubu and everyday Nigerians, especially in light of the current economic hardship. According to him, Tinubu is shielded from the daily realities of the public and receives filtered information that downplays the level of suffering among citizens.

“The president cannot go out to the streets like I do and know how the people feel,” he said. “Even outside the villa, they would drive him in tinted glass so he doesn’t even see what is going on. People are not happy, and the president himself is not pretending. He acknowledges there is hardship and has asked Nigerians to be patient.”

Ndume urged the president to pay more attention to lawmakers and public servants with grassroots access, stressing that valuable intelligence often comes from those closest to the ground.

“It is the people like us who represent the public that should be listened to. Intelligence should come from those who are close to the ground. Things are very bad in the country,” he warned.