Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has expressed concerns about the diminishing confidence of Nigerians in their lawmakers, which he attributes to "non-performance."
This sentiment is reflected in the outcome of the 2023 general elections, where only 25 senators from the ninth Assembly were re-elected to the Senate.
Ndume emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the legislative body and rebuild public trust, stating, "Out of 109 of us, only 25 of us made it back to the Senate. It means we have lost the confidence of the people."
Ndume highlighted the importance of maintaining the legislature's role as a representative institution, warning that deviation from public expectations constitutes a "breach of confidence." He noted that most senators who did not return to the Senate had intended to do so, except for a few who aspired to governorship positions.
The senator also recounted a dramatic incident in the Senate concerning tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu in October. The situation escalated when Ndume objected to the unplanned entry of Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, into the chamber. This briefing was not listed on the order paper, prompting Ndume to describe the event as an "ambush" and criticize the lack of procedural transparency.
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