Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has publicly dissociated himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, cautioning that such endorsements are not a guarantee of electoral victory.
Speaking during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, the long-serving lawmaker—who has been a member of the National Assembly since 2003—criticized the political fanfare surrounding Tinubu’s endorsement. He pointed out that a similar scenario played out in 2015, when former President Goodluck Jonathan was endorsed by 22 governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yet went on to lose the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ndume’s remarks come in the wake of the May 22, 2025, announcement, where all 22 APC governors unanimously declared their support for President Tinubu to contest again in the 2027 general election. Despite being a senior APC figure, Ndume expressed strong reservations about the move, arguing that the country’s worsening economic conditions, surging cost of living, and escalating insecurity make such endorsements ill-timed and out of touch with public sentiment.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope; they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” he said, referencing President Tinubu’s popular campaign slogan.
Recounting the moment of the endorsement, Ndume disclosed that he had walked out of the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall where the declaration was made. According to him, he initially attended what was meant to be a summit, only to discover that the event had turned into a political endorsement gathering.
“I was there, but that was not the reason I came. I attended thinking it was a summit. When I realized it had turned into an endorsement session and they were doing a voice vote in support of the President, I simply walked out. That does not mean I’m no longer an APC member. The majority had their way, but a few of us knew it wasn’t the right approach,” he explained.
Ndume warned that history should serve as a lesson to the current administration. He stressed that political endorsements by party leaders and governors may not reflect the sentiments of the voting public.
“It happened before—not once, not twice. When Jonathan was endorsed by 22 governors, what was the result? He lost badly. Huge amounts of money were spent. Even the election had to be shifted, but it didn’t help. Unfortunately, we are not learning from the past,” he said. “I pity Mr President,” Ndume concluded.
