Ali Ndume in trouble for criticising Tinubu, loses Senate Chief Whip seat

Ali Ndume, the Senator representing the Borno South senatorial district, has landed himself in trouble over his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, demanded that Ndume resign from the party and vacate his position as the Chief Whip of the Senate.

This decision was conveyed in a letter sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read aloud during a plenary session.

Leadership Change in the Senate

The letter, signed by APC National Chair Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, nominated Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, to replace Ndume.

The party cited Ndume’s critical comments about President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the primary reason for his removal.

“You have been making uncouth and rabid outbursts against the government before the international community, which is not only harmful to the government’s image but also its efforts to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs),” the letter stated.

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The APC emphasised that Monguno should immediately replace Ndume as the Senate Chief Whip, accusing Ndume of actions detrimental to the country’s interests.

Reassignment of Committee Positions

Following the announcement, Senate President Akpabio appointed Ndume as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism. Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, representing Ondo Central, was named the new Chair of the Judiciary and Legal Matters Committee, a position previously held by Monguno before his nomination as Chief Whip.

The Genesis of Ndume’s Troubles

Ndume’s troubles began after he made critical remarks about the Tinubu administration during interviews with BBC Hausa on July 10 and Arise TV on July 12.

He alleged that some ministers and lawmakers struggled to communicate with President Tinubu, highlighting the administration’s inaccessibility.

“The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the president,” Ndume said during the BBC interview.

“Not to mention members of the national assembly who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies,” the senator added.

In the Arise TV interview, Ndume reiterated his claims, comparing President Tinubu unfavourably to his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. He accused the president’s aides of “shielding and fencing in” Tinubu, preventing effective communication with lawmakers and ministers.

Impact on APC and Senate Dynamics

Ndume’s removal and reassignment highlight the tensions within the APC. His outspoken criticism of the administration’s accessibility issues has evidently ruffled feathers at the highest levels of the party. By removing him from his influential position, the APC aims to maintain a unified front and silence dissenting voices within its ranks.

The nomination of Tahir Monguno as the new Chief Whip is expected to restore stability within the party and the Senate. Monguno, previously Chair of the Judiciary and Legal Matters Committee, is seen as a loyal party member who will support the Tinubu administration’s agenda.

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