The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Senator Ali Ndume, former Chief Whip of the Senate, to channel his advice to President Bola Tinubu through private means rather than publicly criticizing the government’s policies.
This call was made by APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.
Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, had recently expressed concerns about the government’s handling of the economy, stating that certain individuals close to President Tinubu were pushing harmful reforms aimed at destabilizing the government. “Those who are bent on making the President look bad will stop at nothing in inflicting pain on Nigerians through the so-called reforms until things get out of hand, and the blame will be on President Tinubu,” he said.
Ibrahim emphasized that while everyone has the right to express their opinions in a democracy, prominent figures like Ndume should exercise caution with their words. “As a senior party member, a legislator, and former Chief Whip, Ndume is an adviser by extension to all the leaders in our party. Therefore, he has ways of reaching out to them in private without necessarily going public.”
This development comes months after Ndume was removed as Senate Chief Whip due to his public criticism of President Tinubu and the APC. He had apologized and was pardoned by the party, which requested his reinstatement as Chief Whip. However, the Senate has yet to restore him to his former position.
The APC’s concern about Ndume’s latest public advice highlights the tension between the party and its prominent members who have been critical of President Tinubu’s administration. As the party navigates these internal dynamics, it remains to be seen how Ndume’s actions will impact his future within the APC.
