Senator Ali Ndume, who represents the Borno South senatorial constituency, recently disassociated himself from President Bola Tinubu’s support for a second term.
This occurred on the same day that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, issued a warning that voters would fiercely oppose lawmakers who defected to the APC in the general elections of 2027.
President Tinubu was overwhelmingly backed by 22 governors elected on the APC platform in May as the party’s only presidential contender for the general elections in 2027.
During the APC National Summit, which took place at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, made the announcement of the endorsement.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, the vice chairman of the PGF, seconded Uzodimma’s proposal to adopt Tinubu as the only candidate of the APC.
However, Ndume claimed in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics program on Sunday night that former President Goodluck Jonathan lost reelection to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC despite receiving the support of 22 governors from the PDP, the then-ruling party, in 2015.
As “things are very bad in the country” right now, the senior APC member, who had served in the National Assembly for more than 20 years, stated that he did not support the APC governors’ choice.
He bemoaned Nigeria’s dire economic circumstances, the country’s soaring cost of living, and the widespread insecurity in some regions.
“Nigerians have no hope; they don’t believe in the President’s Renewed Hope,” he stated.
The Borno senator stated: “I was there, but that was not why I was there,” yet he did storm out of the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the governors endorsed the president for reelection.
“I went there for a summit, but I just left when I realized it wasn’t one and that Mr. President’s endorsement was up for voice vote. That doesn’t mean I’m not an APC member, though. Some of us thought that was wrong, but the majority got their way.
“It had already occurred, not once or twice. It took place when Jonathan was alive. That is meaningless. Voters are not leaving their seats, but politicians are.
“I wish he would have a historical perspective and see that the crowds that have gathered to support you are meaningless.
At the time, Jonathan had 22 governors who supported him, much like they do today. And what took place? Jonathan had a terrible defeat. It cost a lot of money. We are not learning our lessons, despite the fact that the election was moved.
I pity Mr. President, he concluded.
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