Senator Ali Ndume has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to tread carefully in his political dealings, especially concerning former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Ndume, Buhari’s influence in northern Nigeria remains potent, even after leaving office.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Friday night, the Borno South lawmaker underscored the depth of loyalty Buhari still commands among the northern masses.
Ndume’s remarks came shortly after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a group of opposition leaders paid a high-profile visit to Buhari in Kaduna — a move many interpret as politically strategic.
The former Senate Chief Whip also revealed plans to meet with the former president.
“Buhari’s followership has diminished naturally because it is different when you are not in power and after spending, like, eight years in power,” he said.
“Of course, his popularity, everything has diminished; it is natural, but you can’t write him off, especially with the northern masses.
“The followership of Buhari has been occultic. You cannot explain it.
“If Buhari is coming here now, you will see people rushing to see him. Everybody, including those in the vegetable market, will rush here. Buhari is still with the Talakawas.
“Tinubu should be worried if Buhari is not on his side. Every number counts, and Buhari has one vote.
“Tinubu should also be worried about my position. Because I have one vote for him. He does not have a vote for me.”
Ndume’s warning comes amid rising tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly involving the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc — the political group Buhari belonged to before the 2013 merger that birthed the APC.
Amid speculation about the CPC faction possibly breaking away, Buhari recently reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, stating he would never abandon the party that brought him to power.
