Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Senator Ali Ndume, the outspoken lawmaker representing Borno South, has launched a blistering critique of President Bola Tinubu's inner circle, alleging that the President is surrounded by individuals who are financially dependent on him and therefore incapable of offering honest, critical feedback when policies fail. In a bombshell interview with Trust TV on Friday, June 26, 2026, Ndume declared that the composition of the President's advisory team is one of the greatest obstacles to effective governance in Nigeria.
The senator, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), did not mince words. "I can tell you authoritatively that 95% of people around Tinubu are his dependents, even before he became the president," Ndume stated. He explained that many of these individuals had relied on Tinubu's patronage for years before his assumption of office, creating a dynamic where loyalty to the President supersedes loyalty to the nation. "He was taking care of them, and that is one of the problems of his government," Ndume said. "When you have people around you that are your dependents, they cannot look you in the face and say, 'Mr President, this cannot work'".
Ndume's criticism comes amid growing public frustration over the administration's handling of security challenges, economic hardship, and policy direction. He argued that the lack of honest counsel is a systemic flaw that prevents the President from receiving the objective advice necessary to steer the country in the right direction. "The problem of Mr. President is the people around him. I have said it before," he reiterated.
Beyond the composition of the President's inner circle, Ndume also disclosed the difficulty he has faced in gaining access to the President to discuss critical national issues. Despite his status as a senior senator and a member of the ruling party, Ndume revealed that he has met President Tinubu only twice since the latter assumed office in May 2023. "The president knows me to some extent. I give it to him that he has so much to do. Since 2023, I have met the president only twice," he said. The lawmaker disclosed that he has written two formal letters to the President, outlining his desire to discuss Nigeria's worsening security situation and the welfare of citizens, which he described as the primary responsibilities of any government. However, his requests have not resulted in the desired engagement. The revelation adds to a growing narrative of inaccessibility and isolation within the Presidency, raising questions about the quality of feedback the President receives from grassroots political leaders and stakeholders.
Ndume's latest comments are part of a sustained pattern of criticism against the administration's inner workings. In January 2026, he had warned that the President was being poorly served by advisers who lack political understanding and grassroots connections. He also criticized some presidential aides for what he described as "elitist isolation" and a lack of national outlook. In earlier interviews, Ndume had argued that President Tinubu succeeded as Governor of Lagos because he worked with competent and experienced people, many of whom have now been sidelined. The senator has also previously accused the President of surrounding himself with "kakistocrats"—a term used to describe a government run by the least qualified or most unscrupulous citizens. He alleged that some officials demand bribes from individuals seeking to meet with the President, further illustrating the barriers to access and honest dialogue.
Ndume's remarks come at a time when Nigeria faces significant security challenges, particularly in the North-East, which he represents. His criticism, while directed at the President's inner circle, is also seen as a warning that the administration risks becoming insulated from the realities on the ground. The senator's comments have sparked reactions across the political spectrum, with some applauding his courage and others accusing him of disloyalty. Given that Ndume is a member of the ruling APC, his public criticism carries significant weight. As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Ndume's allegations may fuel further debate about the quality of governance and the need for greater transparency and accountability within the Presidency. The senator's central argument—that sycophancy and dependency have replaced honest counsel—resonates with a public increasingly disillusioned with the administration's performance. "When you have people around you that are your dependents, they cannot look you in the face and say, Mr President, this cannot work," Ndume concluded. Whether the Presidency will respond to this critique or continue to ignore it remains to be seen, but Ndume has made it clear that he believes the nation is paying the price for a lack of honest feedback at the highest levels of government.
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