The All Progressives Congress (APC) has initiated efforts to reinstate Senator Ali Ndume as the Senate Chief Whip, after he was removed from the position just a month ago.
Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, lost his role after he publicly criticized President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party, leading to tensions within the APC.
Ndume’s remarks, where he accused the President of being “caged” and disconnected from the difficulties faced by Nigerians, were not well received by the party leadership.
This led to his replacement by Senator Tahir Monguno of Borno North, following a directive from the APC’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and National Secretary, Senator Basiru Ajibola.
The decision to remove Ndume was swiftly confirmed through a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with widespread support from APC senators.
However, in a significant development, Ndume met with the APC National Working Committee in Abuja last week, where he offered a “sincere apology” to the party. Following this meeting, APC Chairman Ganduje acknowledged Ndume’s apology and indicated that the matter would be handled as a “family affair.”
Ganduje further stated, “We are writing to the National Assembly to convey what has transpired between Senator Ndume and the party. As you are aware, he has apologized to the party with the hope that they can review their position.”
In line with this, sources within the party revealed that discussions have commenced with Senate leaders to reconsider Ndume’s removal. A party insider, speaking anonymously, confirmed that consultations were underway, emphasizing that this was a “family issue.”
The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, also confirmed the ongoing discussions. Duru noted that while the party can recommend actions to the Senate, the final decision rests with the Senate leadership.
He said, “It is for us to recommend to the Senate to do the needful. I believe they are all party members who respect the APC. It is on account of that, when the party felt there was something wrong in the way he addressed the public without allowing the party to hear him out, that we took the steps that we took.
“But he has realised his mistake and came to the party to admit that he should have first discussed it with the APC before going public. In the end, the party looked at it and then had a handshake with him. So it is important that having had that handshake, in the wisdom of the national chairmen of the party, that he communicates to the leadership of the Senate just as we did in the first instance.
“There will be many backdoor consultations and discussions that would address all the parties concerned for the important thing to be done, not just on the surface of it. The APC is a party that is law-abiding and motivates for consensus. You know Ndume is a ranking member of the party and well respected too. That was why we embraced him with a golden handshake and the meeting ended in a convivial atmosphere.”
Echoing this sentiment, Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s National Publicity Director, remarked that the potential reinstatement of Ndume was not unusual, comparing it to normal reshuffling within the executive branch.
“Why not? Of course, there is nothing strange there. This is an in-house thing. Even in the executive arm of the government, a cabinet reshuffle is normal. The legislature can also reshuffle and reassign portfolios. Nobody has an entitlement to any position. It is at the discretion of the leader of the House or the Senate to assign portfolios to people they think can run the office to satisfaction.
“In any case, Ndume is a senior senator for that matter. There is nothing wrong if the Senate finds him good for that position. I don’t think there is any law that says he cannot be reinstated. Moreover, this is one Senate that is trying to be as rancour-free as possible under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio.
“So, I am sure if they feel the need to reinstate him, all the necessary consultations will be made to ensure that it is done in a way that will not create any hitch. This is my belief. He apologised and the party accepted his apology. So it’s an in-house thing. It is a problem within the family that can always be resolved without necessarily going for an intermediary.
“So I believe the party will put in place all the necessary things that need to be done for him to be reinstated. That is not my place to say. It is the discretion of the Senate and the discretion of the party,” Ibrahim said.
