Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has dismissed the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, drawing striking parallels to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s failed 2015 re-election bid despite securing backing from 22 PDP governors.
The lawmaker made the position during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. He revealed he walked out of the Presidential Villa banquet hall when 22 APC governors unanimously adopted Tinubu as their 2027 candidate on May 22, 2025.
He said Nigerians should not forget history, noting that in 2015, 22 PDP governors endorsed Jonathan, yet he lost to Buhari. Endorsements don’t win elections, performance does.
The senator, while remaining an APC member, expressed grave concerns about Nigeria’s current state: “Things are very bad”. The economy is crumbling, prices are skyrocketing, and insecurity persists. Nigerians are losing faith in the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
He 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 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 its way but few of us felt that was not right.
“It happened before, not once, not twice. It happened during Jonathan. That does not mean anything. Politicians are decamping but the people who are the voters are not decamping.
“I hope that 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 like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted but we are not learning our lessons. I pity Mr President.”
Discussion about this post