In a climate of rising economic anxiety and political uncertainty, Senator Ali Ndume has issued a sobering reminder to Nigeria’s political class: endorsements by elites do not guarantee support at the ballot box.
The senior APC lawmaker made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television, where he criticized the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by 22 APC governors.
Ndume, who was present at the May 22 gathering in Abuja but walked out when the agenda turned to endorsement, said such symbolic gestures are often out of touch with the realities ordinary Nigerians face daily.
“The people who are the real voters aren’t decamping,” Ndume said, highlighting a growing disconnect between political manoeuvring at the top and grassroots sentiment. “It happened with Jonathan. He had 22 governors behind him. What happened? He lost—and badly.”
Ndume’s comments suggest that the ruling party may be underestimating voter awareness and dissatisfaction. “Things are very bad in the country,” he added. “This is not the time for political coronations. It’s a time for reflection and action.”
By recalling past political miscalculations, particularly the PDP’s failed 2015 re-election bid, Ndume positioned himself as a voice urging caution and humility within the APC. His critique appears less about partisanship and more about political wisdom.
As Nigeria prepares for another election cycle, Ndume’s remarks strike a chord: in a democracy, legitimacy is not conferred by titles or governors’ gatherings—it is earned at the ballot box.