ABUJA, Nigeria — Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has publicly disassociated himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such endorsements are not a guarantee of electoral success.
Ndume, who has been a vocal critic of aspects of the Tinubu administration, made the remarks on Sunday, June 8, 2025, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
In May, 22 APC governors declared their support for President Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
However, Ndume said he was not part of the endorsement, despite being physically present at the Presidential Villa on the day the announcement was made.
“Things are very bad in the country; Nigerians cannot see any hope; they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” Ndume said, referring to the president’s flagship campaign slogan.
The senator explained that his presence at the Villa was for a separate summit and not to participate in any endorsement.
“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,” he said.
“That does not mean I am not an APC member. The majority had its way, but few of us felt that was not right,” he added.
Drawing a historical parallel, Ndume recalled a similar scenario ahead of the 2015 elections when 22 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed then-President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election.
Despite the show of support, Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari, the APC candidate at the time.
“It happened during Jonathan. That does not mean anything. Politicians are decamping, but the people who are the voters are not decamping,” Ndume said.
He continued: “I hope that he [Tinubu] 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,” he concluded.
