Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has publicly distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, cautioning that such endorsements do not guarantee electoral victory.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday night, Ndume criticized the endorsement move, citing the country’s worsening economic situation, growing insecurity, and rising cost of living as signs that the electorate remains dissatisfied with the current administration.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope; they doubt the Renewed Hope of the President,” Ndume said, expressing frustration over the direction of governance and the party’s premature focus on re-election.
READ ALSO: APC Governors Endorse President Tinubu For Second Term
In May, 22 APC governors, led by the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, unanimously endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The motion was seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State during the APC National Summit at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
But Ndume, a high-ranking APC member and vocal legislator with over two decades in the National Assembly, revealed that he walked out of the summit once the endorsement agenda was introduced.
“I was there, but that was not why I was there. I was there for a summit, and when I realized it was not a summit but a platform to endorse the president, I left,” he said. “The majority had their way, but a few of us felt it was not right.”
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He drew a parallel with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid, which was also backed by 22 governors of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yet ended in a historic loss to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
“It happened during Jonathan’s time… And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even though the election was shifted, we are not learning our lessons. “I pity Mr. President,” he added.