‘Tinubu succeeded in Lagos because he had good people around him’ — Ndume

The senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has said President Bola Tinubu’s success as governor of Lagos was largely due to the quality of people he worked with at the time, arguing that many of those individuals are no longer influential in the current administration.

Ndume made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, where he suggested that capable and experienced figures who once supported Tinubu have been pushed aside.

He criticised some of the president’s current advisers, describing them as detached from the political and social realities of the country and lacking adequate understanding of grassroots politics.

“The president had good people around him when he was the governor of Lagos; that was why he succeeded. Most of the good people are not there anymore. He has picked people who don’t know anybody, who only know Ikoyi and Victoria Island and from there fly abroad, so they don’t really understand Nigerian politics,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker warned that such gaps in political awareness have contributed to growing dissatisfaction, particularly in northern Nigeria.

He said although Tinubu may be positioning himself strategically ahead of future elections, electoral victory ultimately depends on public acceptance rather than political manoeuvring.

Ndume dismissed claims that the north is content with the administration, insisting that resentment is widespread and could be expressed through voting patterns if left unaddressed.

He noted that the president still has an opportunity to reverse the situation, adding that timely engagement and policy adjustments could restore confidence.

The senator also disclosed that northern elders had previously met with Tinubu to raise concerns and were promised continued dialogue, but said the engagement did not continue.

According to Ndume, renewed and consistent interaction with regional stakeholders is necessary to calm tensions and prevent further political fallout.