Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has urged President Bola Tinubu to shift attention away from the 2027 presidential race and concentrate on addressing Nigeria’s worsening security concerns.
He made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, the 17th of March, 2026, following fresh explosions that struck parts of Maiduguri on Monday, the 16th of March.
The attacks, reportedly linked to Boko Haram, claimed 23 lives and left several others injured.
Ndume said the focus of leadership should be on governance, stressing that the protection of lives, property, and citizens’ welfare remains the core duty of government.
He said, “We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people that will vote are dying.
“President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address the safety of Nigerians and their welfare first.
“If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy.
“He should walk his talk on this emergency on security. The people should see that he is addressing their welfare.
“We are in a state of emergency, and he should be seen to be addressing the scary security situation convincingly.”
READ ALSO: Ndume Faults Senate Leadership Over Disputed Tax Law
The lawmaker also called for stronger action from security agencies, urging them to improve intelligence and investigations to stop future attacks before they occur.
“Perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested in relation to the explosions. I learned that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle. That must have been registered with the relevant authority, and the investigation will expose the owner, and that may help in identifying those behind the explosions.”
Ndume, a former Senate Leader, expressed sympathy to the Borno State government, residents, and families of victims, while criticising the federal response to the incident.
“It is not enough to put up a strongly worded press statement. What has happened in Borno and other states in terms of the number of deaths and injuries recorded calls for national mourning.”
“If President Tinubu can’t visit Borno, he should send Vice President Kashim Shettima to really assure Nigerians that he cares about their plights,” he added.