THE lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Senator Ali Ndume, yesterday, distanced himself from the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office. This came on a day former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal, warned that politicians defecting to the APC would face strong opposition from voters in the 2027 general elections.
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.
The endorsement was announced by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, at the APC National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Uzodimma moved the motion for Tinubu’s adoption as the APC’s sole candidate, which was seconded by the PGF Vice Chairman, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
But speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics programme on Sunday night, Ndume said former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the endorsement of 22 governors of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015 but lost re-election to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
The high-ranking APC member, who had been in the National Assembly for over 20 years, said he did not support the decision of the APC governors as “things are very bad in the country” at the moment.
He lamented the harsh economic situation, the skyrocketing cost of living in the country and the insecurity ravaging parts of Nigeria.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope; they doubt the Renewed Hope of the President,” he said.
While noting that he stormed out of the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the governors endorsed the president for re-election, the Borno senator said: “I was there, but that was not why I was there.
“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, and that does not mean I am not an APC member. The majority had their way, but a few of us felt that was not right.
“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. I pity Mr President.”
