Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has accused “political undertakers” of sabotaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts, particularly in relation to the tax reform bills. Ndume made the comments during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, following the Senate’s passage of the bills for a second reading despite protests from Ndume and Senator Abdul Ningi.

While acknowledging the president’s achievements in his first two years, Ndume argued that some policies, such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), have overshadowed these accomplishments. He emphasized that the PIB, one of Nigeria’s most significant pieces of legislation, took years to finalize. “It was not passed in one session. It was not passed in one year, two years, or three years,” Ndume said, noting that it was more important than the tax reforms and required careful timing and public support.

Though Ndume expressed no opposition to the bill, he criticized its timing amid Nigeria’s economic challenges. “Nigerians are hungry,” he stated, stressing his duty to represent his constituents’ concerns. He suggested the bill be temporarily withdrawn for more consultation before being reintroduced, questioning the urgency of the reforms. “Why are they in a hurry? That is a big suspicion,” Ndume remarked, referring to calls from governors and other stakeholders for further deliberation on the reforms.