Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume has publicly charged that officials stationed at the Presidential Villa are soliciting bribes from anyone seeking an audience with President Bola Tinubu.
He alleges that the practice is not limited to ordinary citizens but extends to senior government figures who are told they must pay before they can gain access to the president. Ndume’s claim adds a new dimension to the ongoing scrutiny of the Tinubu administration’s handling of public affairs.
According to Ndume, the bribery requests are systematic, creating an informal “pay‑to‑see” barrier that undermines the principle of equal access to the head of state.
He warned that such conduct erodes public trust and could deter legitimate engagement between the presidency and the citizenry, especially when the very officials tasked with governance are allegedly involved.
Ndume’s latest accusation comes on the heels of his broader criticisms of the Tinubu government, including allegations that the president has borrowed roughly $9.45 billion without the National Assembly’s approval and that key appointments have breached the constitutional “federal character” requirement .
The presidency has dismissed these earlier claims as hypocritical, pointing out that two of Ndume’s own kinsmen hold top positions in the state‑owned oil company, and accusing the senator of “theatrics” and “headline‑chasing”.
If the bribery allegations are substantiated, they would signal a serious governance lapse that warrants a thorough investigation by the Senate or anti‑corruption bodies.
What do you think the appropriate response should beshould there be an independent inquiry, or is this simply political posturing?
