Ali Ndume, Other Senators Who Have Criticised Tinubu’s Govt’s Policies, Decisions, List Emerges

• The National Assembly, under the stewardship of Senator Godswill Akpabio, has arguably turned out to be a rubber-stamp parliament
• The current National Assembly of Nigeria is a bicameral legislature inaugurated on June 13, 2023, and runs its course until June 13, 2027
• Legit.ng has listed senators who have criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government's policies and decisions despite the 'docile' tag

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - The 10th Senate of Nigeria is seen in some quarters as a rubber-stamp parliament.

However, there are a few federal lawmakers who have criticised the current government.

Despite being tagged as 'docile', a number of senators have slammed the leadership of Bola Tinubu.

Legit.ng looks at these senators who have spoken out against the administration of President Tinubu.

Nigerian senators who openly criticised Tinubu's government

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Ali Ndume

In January 2025, Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, clarified he was not a critic of President Tinubu but of his policies. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, he stated that the president was his mentor and he held him in high esteem.

The lawmaker, who had been an outspoken critic of Tinubu’s policies, had said 'some advisers' around the President were responsible for the economic hardship in the country.

He also kicked against the tax reform bills transmitted by Tinubu to the national assembly for consideration and threatened to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) due to the proposed legislation.

However, Ndume noted that he was not a critic of the Tinubu-led administration while reiterating his commitment to constructive criticism for the betterment of Nigeria.

Enyinnaya Abaribe

On at least two occasions, Abaribe accused the Tinubu administration of nepotism.

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In October 2023, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain claimed that Tinubu's alleged nepotism was worse than Muhammadu Buhari's.

Also speaking on Politics Today in November 2024, Abaribe criticised what he described as nepotistic tendencies under President Tinubu’s administration.

The senator, representing Abia South, highlighted the appointment of four ministers from Ogun state while many other states have just one minister as evidence of favouritism.

Abaribe argued that such practices alienate regions and deepen divisions in the country, stating:

“If Peter Obi had won, you probably would have seen a better Nigeria than what we are seeing today. Number one, he would not be as nepotistic as this government. It’s not in him.”

Suleiman Kawu Sumaila

There was a mild drama in January 2024 when Senator Suleiman Kawu (New Nigeria People's Party, NNPP, Kano South) raised a point of order in the senate and challenged what he described as the premature and unfair removal of the executive director of the Midstream, Downstream, Gas Infrastructure Fund, Mansur Kuliya.

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The Kano South lawmaker said that the sacking of Kuliya as executive director of the agency is unlawful, as he was not allowed to complete his five-year term, which began in 2022.

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• Tinubu responds after foreign diplomats report behaviour of Nigerians abroad

NNPP chieftain sends message to Tinubu

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that an NNPP chieftain identified areas where the leadership of Nigeria under Tinubu could be improved.

In an exclusive interview, Adekunle Aderibigbe explained how Tinubu's policies could better align with the needs of everyday Nigerians.

He said the policies implemented by the federal government of Nigeria in 2024 were 'a mixed bag of impacts on the economy and the citizens'.

Source: Legit.ng