Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), former Senate Chief Whip, has proposed that Nigeria could save billions of naira each year if federal lawmakers operated on a part-time basis. He argued that the current full-time legislative structure is financially unsustainable, particularly given the country’s pressing security and fiscal challenges.

Ndume explained that the funds saved could be redirected to defence, security, and other critical national priorities, highlighting the urgent need to tackle insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, widespread kidnappings, and rising violent crime.

The senator also criticized the continued deployment of large police escorts for senators and other VIPs, despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive for officers to return to frontline duties. He stressed that thousands of police personnel remain tied to VIP protection, leaving communities and public spaces inadequately policed.

Ndume urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and government authorities to enforce the redeployment of officers to community policing and operational roles, emphasizing that police resources should prioritize citizen protection over VIP security.

He framed these reforms—including a part-time legislature and reduction of VIP security—as crucial for realigning national priorities, strengthening investor confidence, and enhancing the efficiency of public spending.

In summary, Ndume links high governance costs directly to both economic strain and security challenges, advocating structural reforms to improve fiscal responsibility and national safety.