Get rid of ‘kakistocrats’ in your govt or else… — Ndume warns Tinubu
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate measures to eliminate what he termed “kakistocrats” from the highest levels of government, cautioning that their presence could jeopardize the integrity of his administration.
Ndume expressed his concerns following the announcement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, noting that the composition of the council failed to address his worries regarding the competence of certain officials in the President’s circle.
“My concern remains that the President is surrounded by kakistocrats. Unless he addresses this issue, they will continue to undermine his efforts,” Ndume stated.
He referred to recent controversies involving a government agency and the suspension of a high-ranking official in the Presidency as indicative of the weaknesses plaguing the administration. Ndume highlighted a specific incident involving a fraudulent agency, which led to investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) and the suspension of a permanent secretary.
While he acknowledged Tinubu’s decision to permit the investigation to unfold, Ndume insisted that further actions were necessary to prevent similar situations.
“I commend the President for sanctioning the investigation, but if he had capable personnel, these issues and embarrassment would not be occurring,” he said.
Regarding the APC campaign council, the senator criticized the decision to have Tinubu serve as its chairman, arguing that the party should be taking the lead in promoting its presidential candidate.
“There should be no need for a presidential campaign committee if I had the President’s ear,” he remarked. He emphasized that the APC’s national leadership should focus on showcasing the administration’s achievements in preparation for the 2027 elections.
“The President is the product of the party. The creator of a product should market it, not have the product market itself,” he stated.
Ndume suggested that the President might not have been fully informed about the campaign council’s formation, pointing out the backlash that followed its launch. “The complaints indicate that even the President was not adequately aware of the situation,” he added.
He clarified that his concerns stemmed not from personal or partisan motivations, but from a desire to bolster Nigeria’s political framework. “I understand the man, but my worry is rooted in the broader political landscape,” he noted.
In defending the Tinubu administration’s challenging economic decisions, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, Ndume acknowledged the necessity of the action but admitted it resulted in substantial hardship for many Nigerians. He observed that while there was support for the subsidy removal, the subsequent rise in living costs has caused significant distress.
“The President has recognized the hardship resulting from these policies and has assured Nigerians that there will be improvement in the future,” Ndume stated.
He highlighted that ongoing economic difficulties pose a considerable challenge for the APC ahead of the approaching elections, with rising public anxiety regarding when relief might be anticipated.
The senator also criticized certain presidential aides for exacerbating public discontent, alleging that they often resort to personal attacks in response to criticism instead of engaging with the substantive issues raised.
“We believe that the individuals around the President are a significant part of the problem. Instead of discussing ideas and policies, they resort to personal remarks,” Ndume said. He urged presidential spokespersons to confront criticisms with factual responses rather than resorting to insults.
“When someone raises an issue, the President’s representatives should address the arguments made rather than attacking the individual personally,” he concluded.
