ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to personally address Nigerians on major national issues instead of leaving communication to presidential aides and government spokespersons.
Ndume made the appeal after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa on Friday, saying direct engagement would strengthen public confidence and reassure citizens amid the country’s economic and security challenges.
The senator representing Borno South disclosed that he advised the President to regularly communicate with Nigerians, stressing that citizens expect to hear firsthand from their elected leader during difficult times.
“I advised him to speak directly to Nigerians, and he assured me he would consider it. Nigerians expect their President to explain what is happening in the country instead of relying on others to speak on his behalf,” Ndume said.
The lawmaker also expressed optimism over ongoing military operations against bandits and insurgents, saying recent offensives had placed criminal groups under sustained pressure across several parts of the country.
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According to him, security forces have intensified operations in the North-West, North-East and other troubled areas, leading to the elimination of key terrorist leaders and the surrender of several commanders.
“There has been significant pressure on bandits and terrorists lately. Some of their leaders have been neutralised, while others have surrendered. If the military sustains the current momentum, we are confident the security situation will continue to improve,” he stated.
Ndume commended the President for giving priority attention to security matters, pointing to the meeting Tinubu held with the nation’s service chiefs before receiving him at the Presidential Villa.
He revealed that his appointment with the President was delayed because Tinubu was presiding over a high-level security briefing, which he described as evidence of the administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity.
“My appointment was fixed for 3 p.m., but I had to wait because the President was meeting with the service chiefs. That shows he is paying serious attention to the country’s security situation,” he said.
Ndume maintained that sustained military pressure, improved coordination among security agencies and continued offensive operations against criminal networks remain critical to restoring peace and stability across Nigeria.