I pity Tinubu, 22 PDP governors endorsed Jonathan & yet he lost re-election—Senator Ndume
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has expressed strong reservations over the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by 22 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume, a senior APC figure and six-term lawmaker, distanced himself from the move and cited historical precedence as a warning sign.
“I pity Mr President,” Ndume said. “Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully.”
“A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted but we are not learning our lessons.”
The senator was referring to the 2015 general election in which former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite the backing of 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
“I hope that he would look back historically and see that the gathering of people to endorse you does not mean anything,” Ndume added.
On May 22, 2025, all 22 APC governors unanimously adopted Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
But Ndume strongly opposed the move, citing the worsening state of the nation.
“Things are very bad in the country,” he said. “Nigerians cannot see any hope, they are doubting the Renewed Hope.”
He explained that he was present at the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall on the day of the endorsement but walked out in protest once he realised the nature of the gathering.
“I was there but that was not why I was there; I was there for a summit and when I realised that it was not a summit and voice vote was put about the endorsement of Mr President, I just left, and that does not mean I am not an APC member. The majority had its way but few of us felt that was not right,” Ndume explained.
Reflecting on the limitations of political endorsements, he said.
“It happened before, not once, not twice. It happened during Jonathan. That does not mean anything. Politicians are decamping but the people who are the voters are not decamping.”
Ndume’s comments come amid growing public concern over rising inflation, widespread insecurity, and economic hardship across Nigeria.
The senator has served in the National Assembly since 2003.
He represented Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency in Borno State for two terms in the House of Representatives before moving to the Senate in 2011, where he has retained his seat representing Borno South to date.
