Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno south, says he was not among the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.
Ndume, a critic of Tinubu, spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
The lawmaker cautioned Tinubu on his endorsement by APC governors, citing a similar incident ahead of the 2015 elections when 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared their support for then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Ndume said Jonathan lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC despite the endorsement by 22 PDP governors.
In May, 22 APC governors adopted Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking further on Tinubu’s endorsement, the lawmaker said he did not support the decision of the APC governors, despite being at the Presidential Villa when the president was endorsed.
“Things are very bad in the country; Nigerians cannot see any hope; they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” Ndume said.
“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 a 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.
“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.
“I hope that he would look back historically and see that the gathering of people to endorse you does not mean anything.
“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. I pity Mr President.”
