I Pity Tinubu, Jonathan Also Had 22 Governors’ Endorsement and Still Lost” – Senator Ali Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, stating that such endorsements do not guarantee electoral success.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Ndume expressed concerns over the decision by 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to unanimously adopt Tinubu as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.

According to Ndume, he walked out of the Banquet Hall at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the endorsement was announced. He clarified that he had initially attended what was described as a summit but chose to leave once it turned into a political endorsement.

“I was there but that was not why I was there,” he said. “I was there for a summit. When I realised that it wasn’t a summit but an endorsement by voice vote, I just left. That doesn’t mean I am no longer a member of the APC. The majority had its way, but a few of us felt that was not the right thing to do.”

Ndume drew a comparison to the 2015 general election, where then-President Goodluck Jonathan, despite being endorsed by 22 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

“It’s not the first time this is happening. Jonathan had 22 governors backing him, money was spent, even the election was postponed—yet he lost woefully. We are not learning from history. I pity Mr. President,” Ndume said.

He also pointed out that while politicians frequently switch parties, the voters who ultimately decide the outcome of elections remain largely consistent in their loyalties.