Ali Ndume, the Senator representing Borno South on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed to be more knowledgeable about parliamentary matters than the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Ndume made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, in which he criticized Akpabio’s leadership style in the 10th Senate.
He emphasized his experience in parliamentary affairs and explained the situation that led to his walking out of the Senate chamber after an encounter with Akpabio on October 19.
Ndume said, “My problem is the way he handled the situation, and what happened the last time was misunderstood or taken out of context. Don’t forget that I fought here, and campaigned for Akpabio. You can’t build a house and destroy it.”
“The main issue is that I’m more experienced than him. When I tried to correct him, you don’t overrule your chief whip. I’m supposed to be the one to call him to order. At that time, he was supposed to invite me, and then we would talk more one-on-one. But he took advantage of the gavel, and coincidentally, it was 12:30 pm, and I needed to go and pray,” he further explained.
Ndume, who was first elected as a senator in 2011, also called on President Bola Tinubu to sign an executive order regarding unexplained wealth. He pointed out that the UK and other countries have laws to address such issues and mentioned his attempts to introduce relevant bills.
“I have tried several times, but you know, there were excuses here and there,” Ndume said. “I think the best way to address this is when the bill comes from the executive, or in the meantime, the current president should sign an executive order on unexplained wealth.”
The Senate Chief Whip emphasized the need for laws to combat unexplained wealth in Nigeria, particularly among politicians and civil servants.
