**Senator Ndume Urges Tinubu to Focus on Security and Welfare Amid Defections** Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South at the National Assembly, has advised President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the security and welfare of Nigerians over political considerations. Speaking in an interview on *Channels Television*, Ndume emphasized the ongoing challenges in the fight against insurgency, highlighting critical gaps in military preparedness. According to Ndume, the government should focus on securing the country and improving citizens' welfare rather than worrying about political manoeuvring ahead of 2027. He pointed out that the insurgents engage in hit-and-run attacks, exposing soldiers to risks due to a lack of proper surveillance, night vision equipment, and armoured vehicles. Task force battalions are deployed without the required support, and the military does not have standby helicopters in strategic areas, compromising the ability to protect Nigerians. Ndume also supported the Chief of Defence Staff's call for local communities to take ownership of security, citing the example of his local government where most insurgents come from the community itself. He suggested that if communities are equipped and empowered to protect themselves, attacks will drastically reduce. This is not the government's job alone, according to Ndume. In his assessment of President Tinubu's performance, Ndume acknowledged shortcomings while urging a focus on action rather than political blame. He noted that the problem lies in leadership and execution, emphasizing the need for soldiers to be properly equipped and promises to be translated into real protection. Bullets, Ndume stated, do not know political parties and take lives indiscriminately. Ndume warned President Tinubu against being carried away by politicians defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that the electorates are not decamping, but rather staying put. Ndume urged the government to focus on the welfare and security of Nigerians, rather than being distracted by political manoeuvres.