“I dont regret my statement,” ‘I accept my removal as Senate Chief Whip in good faith’ _ Ndume
Senator Ali Ndume has finally broke the silence over his recent removal as the Senate Chief Whip at his residence in Maiduguri on Friday, asserting that after reviewing the circumstances, his actions did not justify his dismissal.
Ndume’s ousting came following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration accusing it of running a solo government despite hunger across the land, just as he had alleged in an interview with Arise TV last Thursday that Tinubu had been fenced off and caged by certain forces and expressed concerns over the lack of appreciable action by Tinubu in tackling poverty, insecurity, hunger, and other pressing issues.
Two days after his removal, Ndume declined the Senate Committee on Tourism chairmanship, citing a lack of experience and exposure necessary for such a position.
Speaking from his home in Maiduguri, he said he never aspired to be the Senate Chief Whip having already served as the Senate leader during the eighth Senate.
Ndume shared that he was offered the opportunity to choose a committee to serve as vice-chairman due to his role in securing Godwill Akpabio’s election as Senate President.
About the calls for him to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ndume reaffirmed his status as a founding party member.
He recounted his involvement in the formation of the APC, being one of the twenty-two senators who left the PDP to establish the new party back when Abdullahi Ganduje was the deputy governor of Kano State.
“On the advice(s) that I am free to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP or any political party of my choice, I want to reiterate that, I am one of the Founding members of the APC. It is the people of my constituency and teaming supporters that will decide for me whether to stay in APC, join another party or quit politics. Whatever their advice, is I will work with them.
Ndume noted that he consulted his constituents before publicly joining the APC at the request of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his people.
Ndume said he has accepted his recent removal last Wednesday in good faith. On whether I will take the matter to Court, he said “I want to say that, I will not go to Court, I surrendered my case to Almighty Allah (God)”.
The senator explained his delayed response to his removal, saying he was in Maiduguri, bereaved over the demise of his Sister- in-law and felt addressing Journalists after the third day funeral prayers was appropriate time.
He said: ” I had wanted to react, but because I was mourning since the day I was illegally removed as Chief Whip of the Senate, I now deem it feet to do so”.
