Former Senate Leader and Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has announced his readiness to contest the Senate Presidency in the 10th National Assembly, which will be inaugurated in June 2023 following the swearing‑in of President‑elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May 29. In a statement released on Wednesday, Ndume said his ambition will depend on the fairness of the zoning arrangements set by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership. “Subject to the position of the party (APC) and the fairness of such arrangements, I intend to throw my hat into the race for Senate Presidency because of my experience,” he declared.
Ndume, who challenged incumbent Senate President Ahmad Lawan in 2019, questioned why the APC insists on zoning for National Assembly positions when it did not apply the same principle during the presidential primaries. “The APC leadership took no position during the presidential primary election; aspirants from all geopolitical zones participated,” he noted. He argued that senators should be free to choose a competent colleague with adequate legislative and managerial experience to lead the Senate, adding that zoning might prevent the emergence of the best candidate. Consequently, he believes the selection of Senate presiding officers should rest solely with the senators.
If elected, Ndume pledged to prioritize Nigeria’s interests and emphasize political inclusion and power devolution. He said he would act as “one, not first among equals,” working harmoniously and interdependently with the executive branch. He also promised a cordial relationship between the legislature and the judiciary, respecting the principle of separation of powers. Under his leadership, the Senate would enact new laws and review existing ones to meet Nigerians’ aspirations, focusing on security, welfare, job creation, anti‑corruption, education, economic growth, and infrastructure development.
Regarding business, entrepreneurship, and healthcare, Ndume outlined several initiatives: amending and reviewing tax laws to increase revenue, block leakages, and ensure transparency through open accountability with full senatorial participation; protecting and improving the welfare, rights, and privileges of National Assembly workers; fostering a spirit of esprit de corps by engaging former members as consultants to leverage their experience; setting timelines for confirmations and the passage of bills, especially budgets and executive requests; and passing a Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness of constituency projects.
Other notable figures who have expressed interest in the Senate Presidency include Senators‑elect Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Orji Uzoh Kalu (Abia), Jibrin Barau (Kano) and Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger), among others.
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