Ndume Urges Tinubu to Address Nigerians Directly After Villa Meeting

Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has urged President Bola Tinubu to communicate more directly with Nigerians, saying the country would benefit from hearing the President personally rather than through official spokespersons.

Ndume made the disclosure on Thursday after a meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the two leaders discussed national issues, including insecurity and the economy.

According to the senator, he advised the President to engage Nigerians more frequently through direct addresses, a suggestion he said Tinubu received positively.

“I told Mr. President that Nigerians need to hear from him directly more often instead of relying solely on his spokespersons,” Ndume said, adding that the President assured him the recommendation would be considered.

The Borno lawmaker said their discussions also centred on the country’s security situation and economic challenges, with both agreeing on the need for sustained dialogue on solutions.

He disclosed that President Tinubu proposed holding regular meetings with him and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and receive feedback on governance and national development.

Ndume described the meeting as frank and productive, expressing optimism that closer engagement between the President and political leaders would contribute to addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.

The meeting marked Ndume’s first publicly acknowledged audience with President Tinubu in several months, following his earlier complaints that he had been unable to secure access to the President despite repeated requests.