I Pity Tinubu, Jonathan Lost Despite 22 PDP Governors’ Endorsement – Senator Ali Ndume
In a stark warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ali Ndume has distanced himself from the party’s recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, saying such declarations carry no real weight in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the six-term lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic situation in the country and cast doubt on the political value of elite endorsements.
Ndume recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan was similarly endorsed by 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors ahead of the 2015 presidential election — yet he was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari.
“Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully… We are not learning our lessons. I pity Mr President,” he said.
On May 22, 2025, 22 APC governors publicly adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 general elections. But Ndume, a senior APC figure, openly rejected the endorsement, citing it as premature and unrepresentative of the country’s mood.
“I was there but that was not why I was there. I was at the Banquet Hall for a summit. When I realised that it was turning into an endorsement session and a voice vote was put forward, I walked out,” Ndume revealed.
He insisted that the endorsement does not reflect the will of the people, adding that economic hardship, inflation, and insecurity have made many Nigerians lose faith in Tinubu’s administration.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope; they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” he said, referencing the President’s 2023 campaign slogan.
Ndume further criticized the elite political culture of public endorsements, warning that voters — not politicians — ultimately decide election outcomes.
“Politicians may decamp, but the voters are not decamping. The people who feel the pain are watching,” he added.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, Ndume emphasized that support for the president must be rooted in performance and results, not political theatrics.
His comments come as Nigeria grapples with surging food prices, naira instability, and widespread security challenges, casting shadows on the ruling party’s preparation for the next electoral cycle.
