Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has raised serious allegations against some officials working inside the Presidential Villa, claiming they are demanding bribes from individuals seeking access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking to reporters, Ndume said the practice has become so rampant that even senior government officials are being asked to pay money before they can meet with the President.
“It is unfortunate that some people around the President are monetizing access to him. Even government officials are made to pay before seeing him,” Ndume lamented.
The senator urged President Tinubu to investigate and sanitize his inner circle, warning that such practices could undermine public trust and tarnish the administration’s image.
Political analysts have described Ndume’s statement as one of the strongest criticisms to emerge from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as concerns grow over transparency and accountability at the highest levels of government.