Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure from Borno South, issued a stark caution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to focus on addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than banking on political endorsements for his 2027 re-election.
Speaking during an interview in Abuja, Ndume referenced the 2015 presidential election, where former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the backing of 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yet suffered a decisive defeat to Muhammadu Buhari. Ndume’s remarks came in response to the May 22, 2025, decision by 22 APC governors to endorse Tinubu as the party’s candidate for 2027, a move he openly distanced himself from, highlighting the disconnect between elite support and voter sentiment.
Ndume recounted his decision to walk out of a Presidential Villa summit when the governors’ endorsement was announced, emphasizing that his presence was for a different purpose. He expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic hardships, including soaring living costs and persistent insecurity, which he argued fuel public disillusionment with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
The senator, a six-term lawmaker with a history of outspokenness, drew parallels to Jonathan’s campaign, which faltered despite significant financial and political backing, including a controversial election postponement. Ndume’s critique, delivered with his characteristic candor, underscores tensions within the APC, as he called for introspection and policy reforms to restore public trust. His remarks, aired on national television, have sparked debates about Tinubu’s leadership and the efficacy of early endorsements, with party loyalists defending the governors’ unity while others echo Ndume’s call for tangible governance improvements.