Senator Ndume Calls Buhari to be Responsible to Nigerians

Borno State Senator and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ali Ndume, has called on  President Muhammadu Buhari to directly address the nation on the matter of insecurity rather than issuing statements through his media advisers.

The Senator made the comment on Thursday while responding to questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“I’ve said it before,” Mr Ndume said. “When it comes to issues like these, it is the President himself that is supposed to be talking to Nigerians, not some press adviser.

“The President, of course, should be taking responsibility . . . he is the President. By the time you ask people to elect you as President, anything that happens to any Nigerian, God will hold you accountable for it.”

Mr Ndume added that he was “really disappointed with the response of so many leaders.

“And it is our responsibility – of government – the security and welfare of its citizens. And you have leaders responding as if it is a casualty, not their responsibility.

“I feel pained to be called a Senator. I’m almost helpless. Many of us are like that, sitting down as observers.”

Days after terrorists assaulted a jail in Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Ndume made these remarks.

Many of those who managed to escape are thought to be dangerous Boko Haram members.

On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari visited the detention facility and expressed sadness for the assault.

“I am disappointed with the intelligence system,” the President said in a statement. “How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it? I am expecting a comprehensive report on this shocking incident.”