Nigeria’s Senate wants FG to address food crisis; Ndume berates Tinubu for shutting doors against NASS members, some Ministers

Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency take measures to fight the current food crisis in the country.

The red chamber also stressed the need for the government to adequately inform the general public on steps being taken to avoid negative reactions from the citizenry.

These resolutions were reached after a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi representing Kogi West and co-sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume on the urgent need to address food security and market exploitation of consumables in Nigeria.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who shared similar sentiment over food inflation in the Country however said government has embarked on measures to halt the trend.

Ndume in an interview with BBC Hausa service has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its closed-door policy, which he claims prevents even ministers and National Assembly members from engaging in meaningful discussions with the President.

“The closed-door policy of the government is a major obstacle. Even ministers and lawmakers find it difficult to have meaningful discussions with the President,” Ndume stated.

Ndume’s comment comes after deliberating food scacity situation in the country on the floor of the Senate along with Senator Sunday Steve Karimi who introduced the motion to address Nigeria’s worsening food crisis.

He highlighted a warning from the World Food Programme, which predicts that 82 million Nigerians could face food insecurity within the next five years, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

“Our objective is to urgently draw the government’s attention to the severity of this food crisis affecting countless Nigerians,” Ndume stressed.

“We urgently need the President’s intervention on both the soaring cost of living and food shortages.

Drawing comparisons with the dire situations in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger.

Speaking further, Ndume warned of similar signs emerging in Nigeria. Despite assurances from the government, he expressed disappointment at the lack of concrete action taken to address the crisis.

“We implore the government to work with experts and stakeholders to find immediate solutions,” he urged.