The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District and Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has released a bombshell against officials of the Presidential Villa.
In an interview with Arise Need Channel on Wednesday, Ndume alleged that some officials within the Presidential Villa were demanding bribes from individuals, including senior government functionaries, seeking access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was as the distinguished Senator expressed frustration over what he described as a corrupt and exclusionary system around the President.
According to him, only a select few individuals have direct access to the President. While others were forced to go through intermediaries who allegedly demand payments.
He said, “I don’t have access to the President. The only time I see him is when he’s attending an event.”
“That’s how they run the government. It’s dominated by kakistocrats, people who are the least qualified or most corrupt. If you want to see the President, they’ll ask you how much you’re willing to pay.”
Ndume’s statement is coming amidst rising concerns over the growing disconnect between the Presidency and key stakeholders, including lawmakers and other state officials.
Making the revelation, Ndume lamented that his attempts to reach the President through official means had repeatedly been frustrated by bureaucratic bottlenecks. Just as he accused the President’s aides of deliberately blocking communication.
He said, “I wrote to them, requesting a meeting with the President to discuss some financial matters, but they kept playing games. As if they want you to go to heaven first.”
The Chief Whip described the experience as “frustrating and embarrassing.”
By the time of this report, there is no official statement has been issued from the Presidential Villa regarding Ndume’s allegations.