President Tinubu and Senator Ndume
* Warns Tinubu of replay of Jonathan reelection ordeal
* You are a lone wolf, presidency replies
By John Egie with agency report
As the gale of endorsement gusts on coercing politicians and political gladiators nationwide to kowtow and surrender to the towering political ambition of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, one man among the lot; Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South senatorial district has stood up to resist the gale and refused to bow and endorse President Tinubu for a second term in office.
In May, 22 governors elected on the platform of the APC unanimously endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
But Senator Ndume warned President Tinubu to recall that 22 governors of PDP also endorsed ex President Jonathan in 2015 and yet he lost the election to immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
He gave the warning while speaking in a public affairs programme of Channels TV, Sunday night.
Ndume who has been in the National Assembly for 20 years said he did not support the decision of the APC governors citing harsh economic situation,sky rocketing cost of living and insecurity ravaging the country in the President Bola Tinubu led administration.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope; they doubt the Renewed Hope of the President.
“It happened before, not once, not twice. It happened during Jonathan’s time. That does not mean anything. Politicians are decamping, but the people who are the voters are not decamping.
“I hope he would look back historically and see that the gathering of people to endorse you does not mean anything.
“Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him as is done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even though the election was shifted, we are not learning our lessons.
“Those who’ve mismanaged public funds know their original party won’t grant them tickets, so they seek refuge elsewhere. But once they’re on the campaign trail, they’ll face the consequences of their actions. People won’t hesitate to express their dissatisfaction.
“Nigeria can never truly become a one-party state. It’s more accurate to say it’ll be a case of the APC versus the rest.”
The presidency through the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga in response described Senator Ndume as a lone wolf and accused him of making a sweeping statement without providing any scintilla of proof.
The presidential spokesman said: “Ndume is entitled to his opinion, as a lone-wolf opposition within the APC.
“A ranking senator making reckless statement on TV cannot command the respect of any right-thinking person.
“His allegation that kleptocrats and kakistocrats dominate the government is just too sweeping. And he made it without providing any scintilla of proof.
” This President has many competent aides, many of whom were accomplished professionals before coming to work for the government. And they are doing a damn good job, re-engineering the country’s economy to ensure it is put on a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
“The results of their collective efforts are clear for all to see. The Nigerian economy is getting better and sustainable growth is being recorded.
“FDI flow is increasing, the stock market is booming, companies are declaring huge profits. Net foreign reserve is six times more than what Tinubu inherited. Increase in revenue generation has been phenomenal. States are getting more funds from the centre.
“Contrary to the senator’s view, President Tinubu is not disconnected from the people. He empathises with them and always pleads that the challenges they faced in the first two years will soon become history as the government tackles the crisis of the high cost of food and medicine, while also ramping up the social investment programme for the vulnerable and less privileged.”
Also commenting, National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru affirmed that Ndume was entitled to his opinion.
“He is entitled to his opinion, and when it is time, whether his opinion is correct or not, we will know. We, as a party, do not see anything wrong if stakeholders believe that the President has done well and that he should be allowed to continue with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“If Senator Ndume believes he has alternative aspirant within the party, he is free to collect forms to contest against the President. As far as we are concerned, the President, in the last two years, has done well and creditably.
“All the stakeholders, including governors, National Assembly members, have endorsed him.
“Ndume is entitled to his opinion, but we believe that we will continue to support Bola Tinubu as President beyond 2027. We also believe that it is through continuity that we realise the full benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Credit: Vanguard
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