Senator Ali Ndume has intensified his advocacy for Nigeria to transition to a part-time federal legislature, asserting that this structural change could save the country billions of naira annually. The Borno South senator made these revelations during an exclusive interview on Channels Television on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Substantial Savings Through Legislative Reform
According to Ndume, the current full-time legislative arrangement places an unsustainable financial burden on the nation's resources. He emphasized that Nigeria cannot continue maintaining this expensive system while facing mounting security challenges and fiscal pressures. The senator argued that redirecting these substantial funds toward critical national priorities would significantly benefit the country's development.
The lawmaker directly connected the high cost of running federal institutions to the government's diminished capacity to effectively combat insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and rising violent crimes. He stressed that Nigeria must urgently reallocate public funds to defense and other essential sectors to achieve national stability.
VIP Security Details Defying Presidential Directive
As part of his comprehensive cost-cutting proposal, Ndume strongly criticized the continued use of extensive police escorts by senators and other influential figures. This practice persists despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's clear directive to the Inspector General of Police to withdraw officers from VIP protection duties.
"But up till now, senators are still overcrowded with policemen," Ndume revealed during the television program. He urgently called on police leadership to fully implement the presidential order, noting that the country desperately needs every available officer deployed to community and operational roles rather than escort formations.
The senator explained that Nigeria's security architecture is critically overstretched and cannot afford to keep thousands of personnel dedicated to protecting individual politicians. He maintained that VIP escorts contribute minimally to overall public safety and should no longer be considered a priority in the current security climate.
National Realignment for Economic Recovery
Ndume proposed that Nigeria must fundamentally realign its priorities to rebuild the economy and strengthen public confidence. He identified savings from transitioning to a part-time legislature and reducing VIP security provisions as crucial sources of funding that could be redirected to enhance logistics, equipment, and welfare for security forces.
The senator called on President Tinubu and police authorities to accelerate ongoing reforms, emphasizing that police officers should return to their constitutional duty of protecting citizens rather than serving as personal security for individuals. This shift, he argued, would better utilize the nation's security resources and improve public safety outcomes.
Ndume's proposals come amid growing concerns about the cost of governance in Nigeria and its impact on the country's ability to address pressing security and economic challenges. His advocacy reflects increasing calls from various quarters for more efficient use of national resources.
