Borno APC leaders defend Ndume

From Fred Itua, Abuja

Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno South Senatorial District, on Friday, called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to rescind the removal of Mohammed Ali Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the leaders said Ndume did nothing wrong by drawing the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the challenges faced by Nigerians, even as they dismissed claims that Ndume was planning to leave the APC for another political party.

One of the APC leaders, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, who spoke on behalf of others, condemns recent attacked launched against Ndume by a lawyer, Daniel Bwala.

“We appreciate and respect Daniel Bwala’s right to express his opinion on any issue as guaranteed by the Constitution just as the Senator when he knew that the observations made are within the bounds of the constitution.

“As a learned lawyer, he knew that the provision of Section 39 which guarantees the freedom of expression is applicable to all citizens. We make no excuses for the Senator. As a being, he has deficiencies. As a politician, he may not have lived up to people’s expectations. But we are proud that he has stood up to be counted when it matters most.

“He refused to behave like the ostrich, who, seeing the approaching the storm, buries its head in the sand. His statement was made within the context of a call for a proactive action by the government rather than an instigation against it.

“Daniel Bwala has taken upon responsibility of denigrating the senator and accusing of not living up to the expectations of his constituents. 

The senator has empowered many constituents but as a person not being given to public and private display of generosity, the impacts of his empowerment programmes have been manifested in his consistent reelection.

“It is not only amazing but baffling that Bwala who established a reputation for pouring scorn on President Tinubu is trying to be his ardent defender. He has forgotten that yesterday was not far. Daniel Bwala once stated that “Tinubu is ruling with stolen mandate and the Gods of the land are against his leadership.

“We call on the leadership of the APC and the Senate to reinstate Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate. Ndume has no plans to leave the party and we therefore urge them to reinstate him.”