Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by 22 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such endorsements do not guarantee electoral victory.
Ndume, a ranking lawmaker in the National Assembly, stated this on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics”.
The senator recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan received a similar endorsement from 22 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 but still lost the presidential election to then APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
“I pity Mr President,” Ndume said. “Jonathan had 22 governors endorsing him and he lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted, but we are not learning our lessons.”
Ndume confirmed that he was present at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa on May 22 when APC governors adopted President Tinubu as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election, but said he walked out of the meeting in protest.
“I was there, but that was not the reason I went. I went for a summit. When I realised it was no longer a summit and a voice vote was conducted for endorsement, I just left,” he said.
He maintained that the country’s current situation does not support the move to endorse Tinubu’s re-election, citing worsening insecurity, high cost of living, and a struggling economy.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope. They are doubting the Renewed Hope. Things are very bad in the country,” the senator said.
Ndume, a staunch APC member, insisted that while the party had the right to take decisions, it must also listen to the pulse of the electorate.
“It happened before, not once, not twice. Endorsements don’t mean anything. Politicians can decamp, but the voters don’t decamp. The president should reflect on that history,” he added.
Ndume, who has been in the National Assembly since 2003, first served two terms in the House of Representatives for Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency before moving to the Senate in 2011 where he currently represents Borno South.
