ABUJA, NIGERIA – Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South (APC), has voiced his concerns over monetising the Senate President position in Nigeria, stating that money has become the primary factor in determining the leadership of the Upper Legislative Chamber.
Ndume expressed his belief that with his experience in the Nigerian Parliament, he could have become the Senate President if he had the financial means to secure the position.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored by The Trent on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Ndume lamented the sidelining of integrity and competence in the selection process. “
“There is nothing like considering competence. Everything was monetised. Even those who knew nothing about the legislative procedures, simply because they have money, they are now in the hot pursuit for the position of Senate President,” Ndume alleged.
He further bemoaned the current state of the system, where lawmakers who can afford to buy their way into leadership positions can easily secure the top spot in the Upper Legislative Chamber, regardless of their knowledge or abilities.
Ndume’s comments highlight the need for reforms in the Nigerian Senate to ensure that competence and experience take precedence over financial influence when selecting leadership positions.
The current state of affairs, as described by Ndume, threatens to undermine the efficacy and integrity of the Nigerian legislative process.
