The Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has expressed confidence in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), retaining power at the centre after the 2027 presidential election.
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According to him, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, is not coming up with anything new to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
The long-serving lawmaker, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, however, said the opposition cannot be underrated.
“I am not worried because nobody is coming up with something new. Everybody is talking about it is either Bola Ahmed Tinubu or Atiku or Amaechi or Peter Obi. I don’t see anything that they put on the table,” Ndume said.
“The man holding the steering now is Tinubu, but those that are trying to take over, and the ADC itself, every day it’s here and there. Initially, I had a lot of confidence, but when you find people concentrating on themselves for the power they can get, it’s not a big deal.
“Up till now, despite the fact that they have strong personalities, they have not been able to actually put their house in order. But you can’t underrate any opposition, no matter how small.
“Remember, that was how PDP was thinking about APC initially — that APC is not serious. Buhari tried several times; he didn’t make it. So, I’m not writing Atiku, Obi or Amaechi off.”
He asserted that having a strong opposition is very necessary in every democracy.
Asked if Nigerians should reject Tinubu at the polls in 2027 for failing to fulfil some of his promises, Ndume said that decision is left to Nigerians. However, he insisted that Tinubu has done a lot of work, but it has been overshadowed by insecurity and lack of welfare for the people.
He said that if the President can take the fight against insecurity very seriously, secure Nigerians, improve the power sector, and improve welfare for citizens, Nigerians will return him to power.
Even though he acknowledged that Nigerians may not be happy with the APC, Ndume insisted that the ADC is not a threat.
He said that once the APC government is able to solve the problems of insecurity and welfare for the people, Nigerians will not have a problem voting for the party because they are forgiving.
“As I said, our problem is the security and welfare of the people, and then keeping up with some of those things and getting them right. Some of the policies that the government put in place, if they start yielding results, Nigerians will be happy about it. One good thing about Nigerians is that they are forgiving; if you offend them and you ask for forgiveness or things turn around, they will put it behind.
“So, don’t write APC off. I will not say Nigerians are happy with all that we are doing, but at the same time, I cannot say the opposition is a threat because we are all one — all the same politicians,” he said.
With crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ADC has emerged as a formidable opposition that can challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 polls. The party was adopted by the opposition coalition, including Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Nasir El-Rufai and other political heavyweights, to challenge for power in the next election.
Senator Ali Ndume has backed claims by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, that many perpetrators of terrorism in the Northeast are from within affected communities in Borno and Yobe states.
Ndume spoke on Thursday while appearing on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, where he said insurgent attacks often involve local collaborators.
According to him, it is difficult for fighters to launch attacks without insider support, adding that many of those involved in recent incidents in his area appear to be indigenes based on their accents and familiarity with the terrain.
The lawmaker said he agrees with the military chief’s position that residents must take responsibility for addressing the crisis.
He argued that insurgents often take advantage of unprotected communities, noting that improved local vigilance and resistance could help deter attacks.
Ndume’s comments follow recent remarks by Oluyede, who said the majority of those involved in terrorism in the region are from Borno and Yobe states and urged communities to take ownership of the problem in order to bring lasting peace.
Ndume said: “Yes, that is true; you cannot have insurgents coming from outside to attack the town without insiders. So most of the insurgents in my local government are from my local government. Most of those that attacked, for example, recently, the recent one you can hear from the accent they are from Borno.
“I totally agree with what CDs said. We have to take ownership. And let me tell you all these ragtag people. What is the difference? They look wretched, they are not even strong enough, and they don’t look right. The only thing they have is that AK-47. If they know that a community, in every household, they are likely to have somebody with the gun, they will not come near that place.”
The Senator noted that the bomb that exploded was delivered by Keke Napep (tricycle).
What they (the terrorists) do is ‘hit and run’; they gather around and, most dangerously, get information from citizens, he added.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the Federal Government remains committed to restoring peace following the recent terrorist attacks in Borno State.
Speaking during a hospital visit to victims, Shettima said the government was “eternally optimistic” and would work harder than ever to ensure full peace is restored.
“We will not rest on our oars until stability returns to Borno, the North-East, and the nation as a whole,” he added.
Ndume revealed he was not celebrating Eid al-Fitr following the Borno bombings.
“I am not celebrating Eid al-Fitr… With what has happened to us, I’ve been to the hospital. As I went into the Accident & Emergency unit, one person gave up; the number has gone up by one,” the Senator said.
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