Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has criticised the quality of personnel surrounding President Bola Tinubu, warning that the administration could continue to face embarrassment unless the President takes decisive action.
Ndume made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, while reacting to the recent discovery of alleged fake agencies operating within the Presidency.
The senator argued that the development was evidence of a wider problem within the administration, saying President Tinubu was surrounded by what he described as “kakistocrats” — people he considers unfit or incompetent to occupy positions of responsibility.
“President Tinubu has too many kakistocrats that dominate the Presidency. Unless he does something about it, they will keep messing him up,” Ndume said.
He questioned how purportedly unauthorised agencies could operate within the Presidency without being detected earlier, describing the situation as an embarrassment that could have been avoided with competent officials in key positions.
“It is now a known thing that Nigeria has fake agencies that operate with offices. If the President had capable hands, all these mess and embarrassments wouldn’t be happening,” he said.
His comments followed revelations linked to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation concerning the existence of entities allegedly operating without proper authorisation, including the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
Ndume further said investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had uncovered additional concerns, including issues involving some Permanent Secretaries in the Presidency.
According to him, some officials were subsequently suspended, but he criticised the President for what he described as an inadequate response to the revelations.
“And after the ICPC investigated, they discovered even more, and now you have Permanent Secretaries also in the Presidency who had to be suspended. The President is still not taking appropriate action on all these,” Ndume said.
The senator’s latest criticism comes as political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections intensifies, with questions over the performance, personnel and direction of the Tinubu administration increasingly featuring in public debate.
Ndume, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has previously called on President Tinubu to remain focused on governance and the welfare of Nigerians rather than being distracted by political developments.
