The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is no longer accessible to Nigerians seeking solutions to the ongoing food crisis in the country.
Speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, Ndume revealed that even some of the President’s ministers and senators are unable to gain an audience with him.
He noted, “The biggest problem confronting us is the alleged closed-door policy of the government, where even some members of Tinubu’s cabinet cannot see the President, let alone the lawmakers who intend to discuss issues pertaining to their constituencies.”
Senator Ndume warned that without immediate action to address widespread hunger, malnutrition would severely impact many Nigerians, particularly children in the Northwest.
He cited a UN report predicting that 82 million Nigerians could face hunger within the next five years.
According to him, “We fear that one day someone might go to the market with money and find no food to buy. Reports from Katsina indicate that if hunger persists, children will suffer the most, lacking the food necessary for healthy growth. This is a situation typically seen in places experiencing war or famine. We’ve witnessed similar crises in Niger and South Sudan where children have died. Now, this situation is emerging in Nigeria.”
Ndume expressed concern that the government no longer stores food in Food Banks for emergency needs. “This is a matter of serious concern and something should be done quickly about it,” he urged.
When asked why he couldn’t meet the President to discuss these issues privately, Ndume claimed it has become extremely difficult, stating, “Even some Ministers cannot see the President.”
