The Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has raised alarm over the increasing number of Nigerian children facing death as a result of food scarcity in the country. Ndume also criticized President Bola Tinubu for shutting out some ministers, blaming this closed-door approach for exacerbating the nation’s challenges.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume emphasized the government’s failure to address the escalating cost of living and food shortages, warning of potential famine and starvation, particularly among children. He urged Tinubu to take immediate action to avert a crisis.
Referencing cases in Katsina State, Niger Republic, and South Sudan, where children are already suffering from malnutrition and hunger-related deaths, Ndume highlighted the urgency of the situation. He criticized the lack of access to the President, stating that even ministers and members of the National Assembly struggle to engage with him.
Expressing concern, Ndume and Senator Sunday Karimi recently sponsored a motion to address the food crisis in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for government intervention. Amidst rising inflation, the government has implemented measures like a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities to tackle the crisis.