Senator Ndume: ‘Our Corruption is People-Driven, Politicians Share What They Steal with People’

In a recent interview on Channels TV Politics Today, Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, stirred controversy by suggesting that corruption in Nigerian politics is fueled by the people themselves, as politicians often share their ill-gotten gains with the populace.

Senator Ndume’s remarks came during a discussion about the efficacy of the death penalty as a deterrent for drug-related offenses. He argued that while politicians engage in corruption, it pales in comparison to the scale of corruption perpetrated by others.

“If you compare us, politicians, to all the corruption, it is very small. Our corruption is people-driven. If you steal it, you will go and share it with the people. If you don’t, you are not coming back for four years. There is no reason for stealing,” Senator Ndume remarked.

He went on to express support for the death penalty for drug dealers, emphasizing the gravity of their actions in destroying lives and communities. Senator Ndume’s comments come in the wake of the Senate’s passing of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment Bill) 2024, which prescribes the death penalty for persons found guilty of trading in hard drugs and narcotics.

However, the bill has sparked intense debate among stakeholders, with some legal practitioners cautioning against the use of the death penalty as a solution to drug trafficking and other drug-related offenses. The debate over whether President Bola Tinubu should assent to the bill continues to divide opinions, with arguments both for and against its enactment into law.