Senator Ali Ndume has addressed his recent removal as the Senate Chief Whip, asserting that his utterances did not warrant his dismissal.
He also gave conditions for him to leave the ruling party.
Ndume’s ouster followed his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s shoddy handling of national issues.
In a statement made in his Maiduguri home on Friday, July 19, he answered to calls for his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasising his foundational role in the party.
According to him, having consulted with his constituents before making his membership public of APC public, he would do the same before deciding whether to leave the party.
He recounted being one of the 22 senators who left the PDP to form the APC, noting that Abdullahi Ganduje, the current APC National Chairman, was Deputy Governor of Kano State at that time.
Ndume also recalled a significant moment when former President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu persuaded him to join APC.
Ndume revealed that he has also declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
He cited a lack of experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive committee as the reason for his decision.
Reflecting on his removal, Ndume stated that he never aspired to be the Senate Chief Whip, especially after serving as the Senate Leader in the eighth assembly.
According to Ndume, he led the campaign for Godswill Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President.
The Senator explained that he did not immediately respond to his removal because he was mourning the death of a family member.
