The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Senator Mohammed Ndume for his remarks suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has been “caged” and is unaware of the country’s challenges.
In a statement on Saturday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka responded to Ndume’s comments, describing them as “haughty and unnecessary.” Morka emphasized that Ndume, as a senator and Chief Whip, has the platform of the National Assembly and access to the federal government’s entire machinery to address national issues.
Morka stated, “The latest outburst in the media by the senator representing Borno South, and Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, claiming that President Tinubu has been caged and unaware of existential challenges in the country is as haughty as it is unnecessary.”
He added that Ndume’s frustration over not being able to access the President does not justify his “outlandish declaration.” Morka explained that the President is occupied with crucial state matters and should not be expected to meet individuals on a whim. “Ndume’s heedless comments smack of an indulgent sense of entitlement to see the President on a whim. The President is busy doing the job Nigerians elected him for.”
Morka highlighted several of President Tinubu’s recent initiatives, including the inauguration of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) and the launch of the Economic Stabilisation Programme aimed at ensuring food security, improving power supply, enhancing social welfare and healthcare, increasing energy production, and transforming the economy.
He also noted that Tinubu has been actively engaging with various stakeholders, including organized labor leaders, to discuss the new minimum wage and address economic conditions. Additionally, the President has signed an Executive Order to reduce drug costs, approved tax waivers for food imports, and directed the Armed Forces to tackle terrorism.
Morka concluded by urging Ndume to exercise restraint and focus on contributing positively to national transformation efforts. “Our dear country needs all hands to be on deck on the cusp of national transformation, each doing their part to remake the social, economic and security conditions in the best interest of our people.”