Senator Ali Ndume has told Nigerians they must accept some responsibility for the poor leadership they often criticise, saying politicians emerge from the society that elects them.
Speaking on September 16 at the public presentation of Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja, Ndume responded to recent comments by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, about the politicisation of ethnicity and religion and its effect on governance and security.
“Every blame is on the politician. And I’m a politician… But I’m a realist. I live with the situation I find myself, and I’m proud of it,” Ndume said. He argued that “politics is people” and that democracy — “government of the people, for the people, and by the people” — means citizens share responsibility for who is put into office. He added bluntly: “And by the way, you are to be blamed because even if it is through rigging, it is you people that do the rigging to bring us in. So, if you put us here, we are doing your bidding.”
Ndume also reflected on the personal cost of his political career, noting he had been imprisoned twice since entering politics despite never having visited a police station beforehand. “You put garbage in, you expect something good out of it? It’s not possible,” he said.
Public reaction to Ndume’s remarks has been mixed. Some praised his candour “He has said nothing but the truth” while others questioned the role of institutions, with comments such as “I didn’t elect them; they were imposed on me” and “INEC is also to be blamed.” Many responses called for greater civic engagement and reform of electoral processes.
“You put garbage in, you expect something good out of it? It’s not possible,” he added.
@Erherhe Brume: He has said nothing but the truth, Nigerians like life a lot, if there is a call for revolution are we ready to come out in numbers it’s the questionTravel tips Nigeria
@Juliet Chiamaka: What can we do? When the institution that ought to fight for us has been compromised
@Obi Eloka Kevin: Please, when did we elect the drug man?
@Amanda Peace: You said the truth Sir
@Emmanuel Ben-Yayork: I didn’t elect them, they were imposed on me…
@Geraldine Amadi: We didn’t select them,they impose themselves on us,a new Nigeria is possible
@Princess Maduka: No män can last 5 seconds ontop my bödy 😂
@Toochukwu Emmanuel Toochukwu: Nigerians una don hear am na
@Chijioke Jioke: Na awusa nd yaribas to be blamed.
@Solomon Emediong: Oga you are talking nonsense.
The last election was a eye sour did the political leader allow the Will of the people to prevail?.
In a free, credible and fair election APC is a gooner.
@Mhiz Treanz: But we didn’t elect them,they focused themselves on us
@Jennifer Morris: Technically, true.
INEC is also to be blamed
@Omosefe Usiobaifo: I didn’t elect him or them they were selected by inec
@John Scot: That is the truth
@Ajakaiye Sunday: Of course
Ndume urged Nigerians to take a more active role in politics and pay closer attention to the people and mechanisms through which leaders are chosen, framing accountability as a collective obligation rather than solely a political indictment.
