Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has rejected the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, cautioning that such declarations do not secure electoral success.
During an appearance on Channels Television, Ndume who has served in the National Assembly since 2003 pointed to the 2015 election, where 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors backed then-President Goodluck Jonathan, yet voters chose Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead.
On May 22, 2025, 22 APC governors unanimously declared support for Tinubu’s candidacy in the 2027 presidential election. Despite being a senior member of the APC, Ndume opposed the endorsement, citing Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, surging cost of living, and escalating insecurity.
“Nigerians can’t see hope; they’re beginning to doubt the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda,” Ndume said, referencing Tinubu’s campaign slogan.
Ndume disclosed that he walked out of the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall once officials announced the endorsement.
“I attended the event for a summit,” he explained. “When I realized it was turning into a political endorsement and they called for a voice vote in support of the president, I simply left. That doesn’t mean I’ve left the APC—just that I didn’t agree with the process. The majority had its way, but a few of us didn’t support it.”
Ndume stressed that past experiences have shown endorsements don’t equate to public support.
“This isn’t new. It happened before during Jonathan’s re-election campaign. Twenty-two governors endorsed him just like now. But what happened? He lost and badly. They spent massive amounts of money and even delayed the election, but it didn’t work,” Ndume said.
“We’re not learning from history. I genuinely pity the president,” he added.
