I Did Not Endorse Tinubu for Second Term — Senator Ndume Declares

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has distanced himself from the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, insisting he was not part of those who adopted the president for re-election in 2027.

Ndume made this known on Sunday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

The lawmaker cautioned that endorsements by politicians do not guarantee electoral victory, recalling how former President Goodluck Jonathan was endorsed by 22 governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2015 election but lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Last month, 22 APC governors had unanimously endorsed Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Ndume, however, revealed that he walked out of the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the endorsement was announced.

“I was there but that was not why I was there,” Ndume explained. “I was there for a summit, and when I realised that it was not a summit and a voice vote was called for the endorsement of Mr. President, I just left. That does not mean I am not an APC member. The majority had its way, but a few of us felt that was not right.”

The senator stressed that political endorsements are no guarantee of electoral success.

“It happened before — not once, not twice. It happened during Jonathan’s time. That does not mean anything. Politicians may be decamping, but the voters are not decamping,” he said.

“Jonathan had 22 governors endorsing him then, just like 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,” Ndume added.