Ndume apologises to APC over outburst against Tinubu’s administration
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, has apologised to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for claiming that President Bola Tinubu was “caged” and being prevented from knowing the difficulties the masses face due to his policies.
Following directive from the party’s leadership, Ndume was removed from his position as Chief Whip due to his comments and replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North).
Ndume met with members of the party’s National Working Committee at its secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday for the first time since his outburst against the Tinubu administration.
Speaking with journalists after the two-hour closed-door meeting, the senator said that though he has tendered an unreserved apology to the party, he stands by what he told Nigerians in the interview.
He said, “Yesterday, 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.
READ ALSO:
Ndume wins as Senate gives him office on 4th floor
“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 with 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 as the last bus stop. Next time when I want to talk, I will come and get clearance or at least talk to the party.”
The lawmaker also waved aside the question on whether he plans to apologise to the President and the Senate over the development.
He stated, “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.”
APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, said the party plans to write the Senate leadership to reconsider its stance on Ndume’s removal as the Chief Whip with a view to reinstating him.