“Lawmakers Should Sit Part-Time to Save Nigeria Billions,” Ndume Says

Senator Ali Ndume has said Nigeria could cut billions of naira from its annual spending if the National Assembly adopts a part-time system for federal lawmakers. Speaking during a Thursday night appearance on Channels Television, the Borno South senator described the current full-time structure as financially draining at a time the country is struggling with intense fiscal pressure and escalating insecurity.

Ndume argued that redirecting funds from legislative overheads to defence, security, and essential services would strengthen the government’s ability to confront insurgency in the North-East, banditry across the North-West and North-Central, and the surge in kidnappings and violent crimes nationwide. He noted that the high cost of governance continues to weaken Nigeria’s capacity to respond to these threats.

The senator also criticised the persistence of heavy police escorts for lawmakers and VIPs despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of officers from such duties. The President instructed Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to redeploy personnel from VIP protection to frontline security roles, but Ndume said compliance has been slow.

He insisted that moving officers from personal escorts to community and operational assignments would offer far greater security benefits to the country. According to him, Nigeria’s security agencies are overstretched, yet thousands of officers remain attached to politicians and influential individuals who could function without large convoys.

Ndume said realigning spending priorities is vital for economic recovery, national stability, and investor confidence. He maintained that reducing governance costs — including part-time legislative sittings and trimming VIP security details — would free up resources needed for equipment, logistics, and improved welfare for security personnel.

He urged the President and police authorities to accelerate ongoing reforms so that security officers can return fully to their primary duty of protecting the public.