Senator Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Tinubu to reduce petrol and food prices, emphasizing that rising costs threaten the livelihoods of Nigerians, particularly in Borno. He criticized advisers pushing harsh policies and called for urgent action to alleviate economic hardships and improve purchasing power for citizens.
In a passionate address on October 11, 2024, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to alleviate the burden of rising petrol and food prices on Nigerians. Ndume emphasized that the skyrocketing costs of essential goods threaten the very existence of families across the nation, particularly in his home state of Borno.
His comments followed a significant hike in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which raised the pump price to ₦1,030 per litre. This increase, he noted, compounded the hardships faced by citizens, especially farmers struggling to transport their produce to market.
Ndume criticized what he termed "bad elements" within the administration who, in his view, are pushing for harsh economic reforms that do not address the root causes of inflation and poor exchange rates. He called on Tinubu to reject the advice of these advisers, arguing that their actions are designed to create discord between the government and the populace.
“I believe President Tinubu means well for Nigeria,” Ndume stated, highlighting his faith in the President’s intentions. However, he urged Tinubu to prioritize the needs of ordinary Nigerians upon his return to the country, emphasizing that the current purchasing power is insufficient for citizens to meet their daily needs.
