Ali Ndume Apologizes to APC, Stands by Comments About President Tinubu

In a dramatic turn of events, Senator Ali Ndume, the immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate, has publicly apologized to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for embarrassing President Bola Tinubu on a live television programme. The apology came one month after Ndume was removed as Chief Whip following a controversial interview he granted Arise TV, in which he stated that Tinubu had been "caged" and prevented from knowing the hardships Nigerians were going through.

Ndume’s replacement as Chief Whip was Senator Tahir Monguno, who was appointed by the APC National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola. The party’s directive to replace Ndume was issued in a letter written by Ganduje and Ajibola.

Speaking to journalists after a two-hour closed-door meeting with the APC National Working Committee in Abuja, Ndume said that though he has apologized to the party, he stands by what he told Nigerians in the interview. He accepted that he made a mistake by not talking to the party before making the comments and promised to correct this in the future.

"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," Ndume said.

When asked if his membership of the APC had been withdrawn, Ndume expressed surprise, saying, "My membership?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 that ‘If you don’t want this house, you can go to any house.’ But where will I go? This is my house."

Ndume also dismissed speculation that he plans to apologize to President Tinubu and the Senate over the development, saying, "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."

Ganduje confirmed that Ndume has apologized and expressed regret over the incident, adding that the party plans to write the Senate leadership to reconsider its stance on Ndume’s removal as Chief Whip with a view to reinstating him.

"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," Ganduje said.

"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," he added.

The drama surrounding Ndume’s removal and apology has sparked heated debate in Nigeria, with many wondering what the implications will be for the country’s political landscape.