Politics

Ndume Rejects Akpabio’s New Appointment, Asserts ‘God Is On My Side’

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 20th, 2024.

Ndume Rejects Akpabio’s New Appointment, Asserts ‘God Is On My Side’

Ndume

Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, has turned down his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio assigned Ndume this new role following his removal as Chief Whip of the 10th Senate. This action came after the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) requested Akpabio to remove Ndume due to his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Friday, Ndume expressed no regret over his removal. “Regarding my removal as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, I was not desperate for the position. I was persuaded to accept the role of Chief Whip, knowing that I had led the campaign for Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President. I was also asked to choose a committee, and I opted for the Vice Chairmanship of the Appropriation Committee. I am not desperate,” he stated.

Ndume revealed that he was offered the Chairmanship of the Tourism Committee without formal communication and declined the offer for two reasons: “I am not a tourist, so I am not interested in accepting the Chairmanship of the Tourism Committee. I lack expertise in tourism.”

He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the issues he raised, emphasizing the public’s dissatisfaction and hardships. “It is unpatriotic to support the President blindly; true patriotism lies in speaking the truth to power. God is always on the side of those who are truthful,” he said, quoting a Hausa saying, “Allah ya na tare da mai gaskiya.”

Ndume maintained that he had no ill feelings about his removal and believed that it was part of God’s plan. “I didn’t contest to be the Chief Whip or the Vice Chairman of the Appropriation Committee; I contested to be a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Alhamdulillah, God granted me victory, and I am with God,” he concluded.