Ndume distances self from Tinubu’s 2027 endorsement

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has openly distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, warning against premature political declarations and drawing parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s failed re-election bid in 2015.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume clarified that he was not part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers and governors who recently endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, insisting that such decisions should be guided by performance and public sentiment—not internal party consensus.

The senator revealed that he walked out of the meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja last month, where 22 APC governors unanimously adopted Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 general elections.

“I was there, but that was not why I was there,” Ndume stated. “I was invited for a summit, and when I realised it had turned into an endorsement session through a voice vote, I quietly left. That doesn’t mean I’m no longer a member of the APC, but I didn’t come there for that.”

Ndume, known for his outspokenness within the APC fold, warned that the early endorsement of Tinubu was reminiscent of what transpired in 2015 when 22 governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed then-President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term—a move that ultimately proved futile, as Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

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“This has happened before. Jonathan had 22 governors backing him. A lot of money was spent, the election was even postponed—but the people decided otherwise. Jonathan lost woefully,” Ndume recalled. “The same pattern seems to be repeating itself. We are not learning from history. I pity Mr. President.”

The senator emphasized that while politicians may shift allegiances and engage in public shows of support, the ultimate decision lies with the electorate—ordinary Nigerians whose sentiments often diverge from elite political theatrics.

“Politicians may decamp or switch loyalty, but voters do not decamp. That’s where the real power lies,” he added.

Ndume’s comments have further fueled discussions within the APC and across Nigeria’s political landscape, highlighting internal cracks in the ruling party and sparking debate on the appropriateness and timing of presidential endorsements nearly two years ahead of the next general election.

Observers say Ndume’s stance represents a broader unease among some APC stakeholders who believe that performance metrics, governance outcomes, and national mood—not party loyalty alone—should dictate support for a second-term bid.

His remarks may also signal growing dissent within the ruling party as it gears up for the 2027 elections amid economic challenges and rising political tensions.

For now, while the party machinery appears firmly behind Tinubu, voices like Ndume’s suggest that not all within the APC fold are ready to rubber-stamp another term—at least not without accountability and deeper consultation.