The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Ali Ndume has described the appointees in government as “kleptocrats”.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Ndume stated that President Bola Tinubu means well for Nigerians, but unfortunately, the people around him make it impossible.

“The government is also populated by kleptocrats, but unfortunately that is not what the President is up to; he really meant renewed hope, but you can only do that when you have people around you that are on the same type of thinking,” Ndume said.

Ndume raised concerns over Tinubu’s policies, such as the cybercrime levy. He also expressed worry over the hunger and food scarcity that Nigerians are facing.

“When the President realized that he had not heard about it, he quickly suspended it.

“In some places, even with your money, you won’t find the food items you want to buy, which is very dangerous,” Ndume added.

He explained that in the past, Nigeria has never been included among countries facing severe food crises or food insecurity, but recent UN and World Food Programme reports rank Nigeria as a hotspot.

According to Senator Ndume, he was disappointed after he sent messages to the Presidential Villa about public anger, but the government blamed the opposition.