According to Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, former President Muhammadu Buhari was not fully in charge of his administration for eight years and failed to oversee the activities of his government.
He also pointed out that unlike Buhari, the current President, Bola Tinubu, played a more supervisory role during his time in office. Ndume made these statements during the Friday edition of a Channels Television programme. He also reiterated that some corrupt individuals were part of the previous administration.
“The President here is in charge. He takes charge, unlike our former President. That President will just give you an assignment, he will not look over you,” Ndume, who is also the Senate Chief Whip, and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said.
“That is where the problem is and he (Buhari) knows that. That was the mistake President Buhari made. He ended up confessing these days that he had more kleptocrats in his government than people that have more interest at heart.”
The budget proposal is Tinubu’s first since his assumption of office in May 2023.
During the presentation of the 2024 budget by President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly’s band played Tinubu’s campaign song from when he was running for president of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Although the lawmakers stood up as a symbol of respect during the presentation, the use of the campaign song has raised some concerns.
Senator Ndume, however, defended the rendition of the song in the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly. He argued that during the era of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the lawmakers also recited the “sai baba” mantra. According to him, there was nothing wrong with the lawmakers singing Tinubu’s campaign song.
“It is not a crime. Honestly, it is not a big deal. In this country, we pick on trivial things. When a President walks in, there are times that some members take advantage of that situation to even challenge the President directly.
“When Buhari came some time back, this same thing was done – ‘Sai Baba’ (was chanted). So why should Tinubu’s case be a big deal?” he said.