We Have Failed Nigerians–Sen Ndume

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, lamented on Thursday that lawmakers have lost the confidence of the people, citing non-performance.

Ndume stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The lawmaker explained that from the 2023 general elections, only 25 senators who were part of the ninth Assembly made it back to the upper chamber.

Ndume, the former Senate Chief Whip called for the protection of the legislature, arguing that once the parliament deviates from what the people expect from them, it would be a breach of confidence.

“It is not about these reforms but I am concerned, that institution is supposed to be protected,” he said.

“Out of 109 of us, only 25 of us made it back to the Senate. It means we have lost the confidence of the people. Out of those that didn’t come back, almost all wanted to come back except for few that wanted to be governors.

“Instead of sticking to what is true and right, if you deviate for whatever reason will be tantamount to the confidence given to you by the people.”

He also weighed on the dramatic scene that played out in the Senate regarding the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu in October.

There was an uproar in the senate on Wednesday after Ndume protested the entry of Zacch Adedeji, chair of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), into the red chamber.

Adedeji’s briefing was not outlined in the order paper of the upper legislative chamber, and that prompted Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader, to move a motion for the suspension of the senate rules.

In response, while citing the rules of the Senate, Ndume said visitors were not allowed into the red chamber to speak if the item was not listed on the order paper.

A day after the issue, Ndume faulted the incident, describing it as an ambush.

Asked if it was listed on the day’s proceedings, he said: “That is why I raised the matter. If not, why not?”

“Zacch and Taiwo Oyedele, brilliant guys, I respect them for their intellect but not the way they are doing this thing,” he added.