Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno South, has apologized to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but maintains that he stands by his comments.
During a recent interview, the former Senate Chief Whip alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is populated by kleptocrats.
Following his comments, Ndume was removed as Senate Chief Whip by the ruling party, which also asked him to resign as its member. Speaking with reporters after meeting the party leadership in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume admitted that he was wrong not to channel his grievances through the party leadership.
Ndume said his comments were borne out of patriotism. “With what has happened, which you are all aware, it is not surprising that I was invited to share my side, and we had a family discussion,” Ndume said. “I accepted the mistake of not talking to the party as the last resort, and I promised to direct my observations as a senior member of the family to the party henceforth.”
“Whatever I said or did was out of patriotism, and although the issues may have been expressed strongly, they are true. I should have talked to the party as the last resort.”
Abdullahi Ganduje, APC National Chairman, said the party was satisfied with Ndume’s apology, describing the disagreement as a “family matter.” “It’s a family issue we need to resolve, and we are writing to the National Assembly conveying what has transpired between Senator Ndume and the party,” Ganduje said. “He apologized to the party, and we conveyed the same issue to the National Assembly. We hope they can review their position.”
