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| Senator Ali Ndume |
Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has expressed alarm over the escalating hardship and food scarcity in Nigeria. In a BBC Hausa interview, he criticized the federal government's inaction, stating that even some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the issue. Ndume described the government's closed-door policy as a major obstacle, preventing lawmakers and ministers from addressing the rising cost of living and food crisis.
He sponsored a motion with Senator Sunday Steve Karimi to tackle the food crisis, citing a World Food Programme warning that 82 million Nigerians may face food insecurity in the next five years. Ndume urged the government to take immediate action, engaging with experts and stakeholders to find solutions. He expressed concern that inaction could lead to famine, starvation, and child malnutrition, citing examples from Katsina State, Niger Republic, and South Sudan.
Ndume emphasized the need for the government to address both the high cost of living and food scarcity, warning that failure to do so may result in a scenario where people have the means to buy food but cannot find any available in the market. He pressed for urgent action, emphasizing that the government's current approach is insufficient.
