Ndume apologises to APC NWC for criticising President Tinubu
The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District of Borno State, Ali Ndume, has publicly expressed regret on Tuesday for his previous criticisms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
His remarks came after a closed-door meeting with the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.
Ndume, an APC chieftain, was recently removed from his position as Chief Whip of the Senate due to his outspoken dissent towards both the party and the President.
This action followed a formal letter from the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, which led to his dismissal.
READ ALSO: Senate sacks Ndume as Chief Whip; names Tahir Monguno as replacement
During the meeting, the party issued a warning for him to cease any further public attacks on the APC and the President or consider stepping away from the party altogether.
Speakinng to journalists after a two-hour discussion, Ndume said he regretted making his criticisms public instead of addressing them privately within the party.
He, however, insisted that he spoke the truth.
He said, “I was invited by the party, and here I am to discuss family matters. Actually, the national chairman is not just a chairman to me but also a father. With what has happened, it is not surprising that I was invited to hear my side, and we had a family discussion.
I accepted the mistake of not talking to the party as a last point and I told the party that all my observations as a senior member of the family should have terminated or ended within the party. That is something that (will be corrected) moving forward. But whatever I said or did was out of patriotism.
“Those issues may have been said strongly, but they are true. Again, I should have talked to the party at the last bus stop. Next time when I want to talk, I will come and get clearance or at least talk to the party.”
When asked to address the speculation that his membership was withdrawn by the ruling party, Ndume expressed surprise.
“My membership? No, I have not been expelled. Even the party did not say, ‘We don’t want you here’ because the party is my father. The only thing the party said is ‘If you don’t want this house, you can go to any house.’ But where will I go? This is my house,” he said.
Asked if he would equally apologise to the President and the Senate, Ndume said, “The President and the Senate have nothing to do with this. The President did not take offence. I didn’t insult the President or say anything against the party.”
Also speaking, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, said Ndume had apologised and had been forgiven.
He said, “We are quite satisfied with his apology. As he said, we invited him. As a party, the APC is the father of everybody. We are free to invite legislators, members of the executive and even all appointed party members in the government. That is why we decided to come together.
“It is a family issue, and we need to resolve it. We are writing to the National Assembly to convey what has transpired between Senator Ndume and the party. As you are aware, he has apologised to the party with the hope that they can review their position.”
Proofreading and editing by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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