Labour Party Condemns Removal of Senator Ali Ndume as Chief Whip

The Labour Party has condemned the removal of Senator Ali Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate, calling it a dictatorial move by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the party, Ndume’s removal was due to his bold expression of concerns over the escalating cost of living and food scarcity in Nigeria, as well as his revelation that President Bola Tinubu has chosen to “play the ostrich” in the face of acute starvation.

Ndume was replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno of Borno North, following a directive issued by the National Chairman of the APC, Umar Ganduje, and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola. The request was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and loudly affirmed by all APC senators.

In a statement issued in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, expressed concerns that speaking truth to power is gradually becoming a crime in Nigeria. He noted that the humiliation of Ndume by the Akpabio-led Senate has portrayed the dictatorial inclination of the APC.

Ifoh pointed out that the administration’s action is a grave dimension, citing the suspension and intimidation of Senator Abdul Ningi, who exposed the rot in government by allegedly padding the budget. The LP spokesperson also highlighted the country’s economic crisis, with food inflation rising to 40.66%, and the government’s prioritization of projects with no direct bearing on the crisis, such as a N150 billion presidential jet.

Ifoh also criticized the media for self-censorship, stating that journalists are recoiling in fear of reporting facts about the government, fearing emasculation and incarceration. He warned that Nigeria is gradually descending into dictatorship and called on citizens to be vigilant and defend themselves against the “starvation weapon” being deployed by the administration.