The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has expressed concern over the rising cost of living and food scarcity.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume said the federal government’s inability to address these issues is a major challenge, adding that some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the matter.

“The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies,” he said

He spoke shortly after he and his colleague, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, sponsored a motion to address the food crisis in the country. The Senators argued that the World Food Programme has warned that 82 million Nigerians are likely to face food insecurity in the next five years.

The senator said the aim of the motion was to draw the government’s attention to the severity of the food crisis affecting many Nigerians. He expressed concern that if the government does not take urgent action, the situation could lead to famine and starvation, especially among children.