Ali Ndume has spoken out about his removal as the Chief Whip of the Senate, stating that, after reflecting on the discussions that led to his ousting, he believes his actions did not justify his dismissal.
Ndume was relieved of his position as Senate Chief Whip following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Two days later, Ndume announced that he had also declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism, citing a lack of experience and expertise necessary for such a critical role.
Speaking from his hometown of Maiduguri on Friday, July 20, 48 hours after his removal, the Borno South lawmaker expressed that he had never aspired to be the Senate Whip, having already served as the Senate leader in the eighth Senate.
“I did not say anything wrong. And therefore I want to state that I stand by all my statements in the interview I granted,” the senator insisted.
“So, I know that I’m not wrong. The people are not wrong by speaking the truth and standing by the truth,” the 64-year-old.
“And I pray that the president who by now, I expect the message should have gotten to him, looks at what I have said and takes appropriate measures to eliminate the suffering of the people.”
The lawmaker stated that he was offered the opportunity to choose which committee to serve as vice chairman, in recognition of his successful leadership during the campaigns that led to the election of Godwill Akpabio as President of the Senate.
“Secondly, the party that recommended to the Senate that I should be removed from being the chief whip of the Senate, I take that as an act of God because if it is God who gave me that position. It is God that took it through APC. So, I bear no grudges about that,” Ndume said.
“After all, I did not contest to be the chief whip. I did not contest to be the vice chairman of the appropriation committee. I contested to be the se one of the Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God granted me that victory and I’m happy with God, what God has given to me.”
“So, I’m not interested in accepting the committee on tourism for the two reasons I told you,” the Borno South lawmaker said.
“I told you I’m inexperienced in that. I don’t know anything, I’m not knowledgeable about tourism. So, I would, if any, prefer to remain as an ordinary member so that I can learn about tourism.”
Addressing the call for his resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC, the senator emphasized that he is a founding member of the party.
He explained that he was among the twenty-two senators from the PDP who helped establish the APC when Abdullahi Ganduje, the current national chairman, was serving as deputy governor in Kano State.
However, he mentioned that when former President Muhammadu Buhari, along with President Bola Tinubu, directed him to sign a document to join the APC at the Imo House in Abuja, he first consulted his constituents before making the decision public. Consequently, he will seek their advice before deciding whether to leave the APC.
“So, I’m not a new member. I didn’t join APC just like that. It was in consultation with my people that I joined APC. I take his advice and I will get, I know across to my people,” the lawmaker said.
Senator Ndume said he could not speak up immediately after his sack because he was mourning the death of a family member.
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