In a recent interview on Arise TV, Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, compared the accessibility of former President Muhammadu Buhari with that of Bola Tinubu, noting significant differences.

Ndume pointed out that during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, senators and ministers had relatively easy access to him within a short span of 24 hours.

This, according to Ndume, was crucial for fostering direct communication and understanding between leaders and stakeholders in governance.

Highlighting the current landscape, Ndume expressed concerns about the perceived difficulty in securing appointments with Bola Tinubu, attributing this challenge to what he described as being “shielded from reality” by his aides.

He underscored the importance of accessibility in politics, suggesting that effective governance requires open channels of communication between leaders and their constituencies.

Ndume further elaborated on the changing dynamics of presidential accessibility, contrasting his experiences with Buhari, whom he characterized as more reachable during his presidency, with the current situation involving Tinubu.

He emphasized the role of direct engagement in policy-making and decision-making processes, arguing that barriers to access could potentially hinder effective governance and responsiveness to national issues.

The senator also raised concerns about the impact of overly protective aides around Tinubu, suggesting that such practices might inadvertently isolate leaders from the broader perspectives and concerns of the populace.

In concluding his remarks, Ndume called for a reevaluation of the protocols surrounding presidential accessibility, advocating for a more open and inclusive approach to leadership in Nigeria’s political landscape.