Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has disassociated himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, stating emphatically that he was not part of the group that backed the president’s 2027 re-election bid.
Speaking on Sunday Politics, a programme aired on Channels Television, Ndume clarified that although he was present at the meeting where the endorsement took place, he left the venue in protest after realizing the gathering had turned into a political rally rather than a policy summit.
“I was there but that was not why I was there,” the senator explained. “I was there for a summit and when I realised that it was not a summit and a voice vote was put about the endorsement of Mr President, I just left.”
Ndume’s comments come in the wake of last month’s announcement by 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors who unanimously endorsed Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The endorsement was made during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall in Abuja.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, Ndume expressed concern about the manner of the endorsement, stating that it sidelined alternative views within the party. “The majority had its way, but few of us felt that was not right,” he said.
Drawing a historical parallel, Ndume recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan was similarly endorsed by 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in the 2015 election but was eventually defeated by then-opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
“Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully,” Ndume remarked. “A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted, but we are not learning our lessons. I pity Mr President.”
Ndume also highlighted the disconnect between political elites and the electorate, warning that party loyalty among politicians does not necessarily reflect voter sentiment. “Politicians are decamping but the people who are the voters are not decamping,” he added.
The senator’s remarks have sparked renewed debate within the APC, with some analysts suggesting growing internal dissent ahead of the 2027 polls. As the political temperature begins to rise, Ndume’s candid critique may signal deeper fissures within the ruling party’s ranks.
