Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s success as governor of Lagos State was largely due to the strong political team around him at the time, many of whom he claims are no longer part of the President’s inner circle.
Ndume made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television, where he argued that several experienced political allies who once worked closely with Tinubu have now been sidelined.
According to him, the President is currently surrounded by individuals he described as elites who are disconnected from grassroots politics and everyday realities.
“The President had good people around him when he was the governor of Lagos. That was why he succeeded. But a lot of those same people are not there again. Most of them have been sidelined,” Ndume said.
He further alleged that many of those now close to the President are more familiar with affluent parts of Lagos and spend significant time abroad, rather than being deeply involved in Nigerian political structures.
Ndume also reflected on Tinubu’s long political journey, noting that before becoming president, he had supported several candidates from northern Nigeria in past elections.
“The first candidate he supported was from the North, it didn’t work. The second candidate he supported was from the North, it didn’t work. The third one was the one that worked. So now he said, ‘it’s my turn.’ That is where the ‘Emilokan’ slogan came from,” he said.
The senator argued that instead of bringing back trusted political associates who could offer honest advice, the President has chosen to work with people who, in his view, lack strong political experience.
Ndume’s comments add to ongoing debates about leadership style, political loyalty and decision-making within the current administration.
