Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has voiced concerns about the rising cost of living and food scarcity in Nigeria. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume criticized the federal government’s inability to address these pressing issues, noting that even some ministers struggle to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss these matters.
“The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies,” Ndume remarked. This statement came shortly after he and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi sponsored a motion to tackle the country’s food crisis.
The senators highlighted a warning from the World Food Programme that 82 million Nigerians could face food insecurity within the next five years. Ndume stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that if the government fails to act swiftly, the country could experience famine and widespread starvation, particularly among children. “We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity,” he said.
Ndume pointed to Katsina State, where children are already suffering from malnutrition due to food shortages. He also referenced the dire situations in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying of hunger, warning that Nigeria is starting to experience similar conditions.
“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria,” he added.
The senator called on the government to take immediate action to address the food crisis, urging them to convene with experts and stakeholders to find a solution. He expressed disappointment that, despite promises, the government had not taken concrete steps to resolve the issue. “What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage.”
Ndume also warned of a potential future where, even with financial means, people might find no food available in the market. “We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available,” he concluded.
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