Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has firmly distanced himself from the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential race, despite his presence at the gathering where several governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) publicly backed the president.

During a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the senator clarified that he had no role in supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition and strongly warned that such endorsements from party elites do not automatically translate into electoral success.

Ndume pointed to the 2015 general elections as a cautionary tale. He reminded the public that despite receiving backing from 22 governors of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President Goodluck Jonathan still lost the election to Muhammadu Buhari, who ran on the APC platform.

‘I Was Present, But I Was Not Part of It’ — Ndume Clears the Air

Ndume explained that he happened to be at the Presidential Villa for an entirely different engagement on the day of the endorsement. According to him, he had arrived for what he believed was a summit. However, upon realizing that the gathering had morphed into a political event endorsing Tinubu, he quietly excused himself.

“I was there, but that was not why I came,” the senator stated. “I was invited for a summit. When I noticed it was turning into something else and a voice vote was being conducted to support the president’s re-election, I decided to walk away. My presence shouldn’t be mistaken for endorsement.”

Ndume emphasized that although he remains a member of the APC, he did not participate in the endorsement exercise. He stressed that the decision was driven by a majority of attendees, while a few, including himself, disagreed with the approach.

Tinubu’s Leadership Under Fire as ‘Renewed Hope’ Slogan Questioned

Ndume didn’t stop at distancing himself from the endorsement—he went further by voicing strong concerns about the current state of Nigeria under President Tinubu’s administration. He argued that the conditions in the country had worsened to the point that ordinary citizens no longer believed in the president’s Renewed Hope campaign mantra.

“Things are really difficult in this country,” the senator declared. “Nigerians are losing faith in the promised ‘Renewed Hope.’ People can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ndume also criticized the political establishment for repeatedly failing to learn from historical missteps. He pointed out that Jonathan’s defeat in 2015 came despite significant internal party support and heavy financial investment in his campaign, which still ended in failure.

‘Endorsements Don’t Win Elections’ — A Historical Perspective

Expanding further on his warning, Ndume stressed that party endorsements, especially when limited to governors or high-ranking officials, do not necessarily reflect popular sentiment or electoral outcomes.

“It has happened before, multiple times,” he explained. “Just like what happened with Jonathan in 2015. He had the full support of 22 governors, and yet, the people rejected him at the polls. Politicians can switch sides, but the real power lies with the voters, and they do not change loyalty so easily.”

Ndume added that Tinubu should take a cue from history instead of drawing confidence from orchestrated declarations of support. “He must understand that endorsements from political allies are no guarantee. The electorate doesn’t follow the politicians blindly,” he cautioned.

A Costly Lesson: Money, Endorsements, and a Lost Election

Ndume underscored how Jonathan’s 2015 re-election campaign, despite its vast resources and tactical decisions like shifting the election date, failed miserably. He pointed to that moment in Nigerian political history as proof that endorsements, no matter how loud or expensive, can fail when the public is not convinced.

“A great deal of money was spent in 2015. The election was even postponed. Yet, all that effort led to a landslide defeat,” Ndume said. “But unfortunately, it seems we have not learned anything from that experience.”

He ended his remarks with a poignant message of concern for the current president. “I genuinely feel sorry for Mr. President,” he concluded. “He must reflect deeply on the past and not rely solely on orchestrated gatherings to measure public support.”

Context: APC Governors Declare Tinubu As 2027 Flagbearer

The controversy arose in May 2025 when 22 governors elected under the APC banner openly endorsed President Tinubu for another term in office. The event, which took place at the Presidential Villa, was seen as an early move to consolidate internal party support ahead of the next general election.

However, Ndume’s open dissent has raised questions about internal divisions within the ruling party and whether the endorsement reflects a unified front or a selective consensus driven by party elites.

His comments have added to growing public discourse around Tinubu’s performance and the challenges of governing a country grappling with economic hardship, security concerns, and public distrust.

Looking Ahead

Senator Ndume’s remarks serve as a stark reminder that political endorsements, while symbolically important, may hold little value without genuine grassroots support. As Nigeria moves closer to another pivotal election cycle, public sentiment, not just political alignment, will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s leadership.

For now, Ndume’s stance signals that not all APC members are aligned with Tinubu’s re-election bid—at least not unconditionally. Whether other party leaders will publicly express similar concerns remains to be seen.