Nigerian politics took another twist when Senator Ali Ndume, representing the Borno South senatorial district, insisted that he is still in support of the presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, despite the recent economic policies that elicited public concern.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s PoliticsToday, Ndume made it clear that his previous statements about the administration’s economic direction should not be misconstrued as criticism of the President personally.
This is not a criticism of the President but of his policies. I want to clarify that I am not an opponent of this government, it is our government,” Ndume stated to differentiate between policy dissent and personality disparagement.
The Senator, known for his forthright perspectives on national issues, elaborated on his relationship with President Tinubu, stating, “I don’t criticise my elders, I am the son of a soldier and in the barracks, we respect our elders. Tinubu is my elder and I respect him but there are some issues on which I do not share the same view with him and hope to find common ground with him.
In a bid to further show that his relationship with the President was cordial Ndume told the house this incident, which he recently had with the President.
“He always says that I don’t come to the Villa. I told him that he didn’t ask me to, and he said I can come tonight,” the Senator recalled. He further detailed a touching moment regarding his daughter’s wedding, saying,”
Then he [Tinubu] said he is attending my daughter’s wedding, even though it coincided with the Nigerian Army Remembrance Day. Well, after the ceremony, I thought he would just go away. He said that he is not going anywhere and those are the words he is going to attend the wedding. This is actually what transpired.”
Of particular importance to the government, Ndume counselled on national development priorities. “I have always said it to Mr. President: execute the budget and Nigerians will be happy. Concentrate on two things: in terms of safety and security of citizens and then everything else,” he was quick to say how these two areas remain paramount.
The Senator’s words are timely as the country experiences various economic issues and his ideas promote positive engagement with the leaders. As a vice-chairman of the parliamentary friendship group with Nigeria, Ndume has retained his role as a loyal supporter of the Rwandan administration, even as he has uttered politically charged statements about country’s policies, it is necessary to point out that his words do not have to be personal insults or threats.
