Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, warning that such endorsements may not translate into electoral victory.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, the seasoned lawmaker, who has spent over two decades in the National Assembly, drew a parallel between Tinubu’s endorsement and that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost his 2015 re-election bid despite backing from 22 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On May 22, 2025, 22 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. But Ndume, a prominent APC member, rejected the move, citing worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and a growing loss of confidence in the government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope, they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” he said.
Ndume disclosed that he had walked out of the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the endorsement was announced during what was initially billed as a summit.
“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.”
Recalling the political missteps of the past, Ndume stressed that public endorsement by politicians holds little sway with the voting population.
“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,” he added.
