Nigerians have lost confidence in lawmakers – Ndume

The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, says lawmakers have lost their credibility, hence the inability of many ninth Assembly lawmakers to stage a comeback to the upper chamber.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ndume stated that lawmakers have lost the confidence of the people over non-performance.

The former Senate Chief Whip emphasised the need to protect the legislature.

He noted that when parliament strays from the expectations of the people, it results in a breach of trust.

He highlighted the outcomes of the 2023 general elections, pointing out that only 25 senators from the ninth Assembly were re-elected.

“It is not just about reforms; my main concern is that the institution must be protected. Out of 109 of us, only 25 made it back to the Senate. This indicates that we have lost the confidence of the people,” Ndume stated.

He added that nearly all of those who did not return had intended to do so, with only a few opting to run for governor.

Ndume also addressed the recent uproar in the Senate regarding the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu in October.

There was significant tension in the Senate on Wednesday when Ndume protested the unexpected entry of the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, into the chamber.

Adedeji’s briefing was not outlined in the agenda of the upper legislative chamber, which led Opeyemi Bamidele, the majority leader, to propose a motion to suspend the Senate rules.

In response, Ndume cited the Senate rules, arguing that visitors should not be allowed to speak in the chamber if their appearance is not listed on the agenda.

Following the incident, Ndume criticized the situation, describing it as an ambush. When asked if the briefing was included in that day’s proceedings, he responded, “That is why I raised the matter. If it wasn’t included, then why not? Zacch and Taiwo Oyedele are both brilliant individuals, and I respect their intellect, but I do not agree with how this was handled.”