Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) criticized Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) following Ndume’s comments about President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Ndume had appeared on Arise TV’s “Prime Time” show, where he criticized what he considered the illegality and excesses of the government under Tinubu, including Nigeria’s running three concurrent budgets and excessive government borrowing without National Assembly approval.
He also accused the government of violating the federal character principle, claiming over 70 percent of Tinubu’s appointees are from the South West.
Ndume expressed concerns over the growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau and Borno States, due to the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
He stated, “As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice this out, but Tinubu’s attack dogs will attack me and not the message. It is not personal.”
In response, Karimi, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate caucus, advised Ndume to focus on resolving Boko Haram issues in his home state instead of criticizing the government. Karimi pointed out the heavy toll the insurgency has taken on the country, stating, “In fact, I lost one of the young officers, a captain in the Army from my Senatorial District serving in his community three weeks ago. Lots of young Nigerians had lost their lives fighting to defend the territorial integrity of our country. Over 50 percent of Nigeria’s earnings in the last few years are being expended on fighting insurgency.”
He urged Ndume to take a more proactive approach, saying, “Rather than playing to the gallery and criticising government, Senator Ndume, as a leader of his people, should go back, liaise with his people on solving Boko Haram problems. Every security-related issue has a local solution.”
