“I Pity Mr President, Jonathan Had 22 Governors’ Endorsement and Still Lost” — Ndume Rejects Tinubu’s Re-Election Endorsements

Senator Ali Ndume has expressed disapproval of the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by 22 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such political backing does not guarantee electoral victory. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the Borno South lawmaker drew a comparison with the 2015 election, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan was endorsed by 22 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but still lost to Muhammadu Buhari.

Ndume, a senior APC figure who has been in the National Assembly since 2003, disclosed that he walked out of the Presidential Villa event on May 22 where the APC governors declared support for Tinubu’s 2027 bid. “I was there for a summit and when I realised that it was not a summit and a voice vote was put about the endorsement of Mr President, I just left,” he said.

Despite remaining a committed member of the APC, Ndume voiced serious concerns over the state of the nation. “Things are very bad in the country,” he said, pointing to worsening insecurity, economic distress, and a rising cost of living. “Nigerians cannot see any hope, they are doubting the Renewed Hope.”

He cautioned against overestimating the value of political endorsements, saying, “Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted, but we are not learning our lessons. I pity Mr President.”

Ndume added that while politicians continue to change parties, the Nigerian people—the actual voters—remain where they are, and it is their voice that ultimately matters.