Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has been relieved of his duties as Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate. This action followed Ndume’s outspoken criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I accused President Tinubu of being ‘caged’ and unaware of the severe hardships faced by Nigerians, including hunger and economic distress,” Ndume stated. “My remarks portrayed the president and his government negatively, which angered some senators, especially from the north.”
The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), headed by Abdullahi Ganduje and Barrister Ajibola Bashiru, demanded that Ndume step down, arguing that his statements were detrimental to party unity. “When I refused to comply with their demand, they took steps to remove me from my leadership position in the Senate,” Ndume recounted.
According to a report by Punch, during a plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a vote to remove Ndume from his role as Chief Whip. “The APC Senate Caucus quickly supported this motion, leading to my replacement by Tahir Mungono from Borno North,” Ndume explained.
Ndume expressed his dismay at the development, stating, “My removal serves as a stark reminder of the intolerance for dissent within the ruling party. It underscores the delicate balance lawmakers must navigate between voicing their concerns and maintaining loyalty to the party. This incident is likely to affect the dynamics within Nigeria’s legislature, where political unity seems to be prioritized over the critical examination of the government.”….Seē _ Morē