Ndume was replaced by Tahir Mungono (Borno North) as the new Chief Whip. The development comes after Ndume’s recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
The ruling party, APC, had asked Ndume to resign from the party and join an opposition party of his choice.
According to Daily Trust, the request was made in a letter signed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and national secretary, Barrister Ajibola Bashiru.
The letter was addressed to the Senate Caucus, indicating the party’s decision to remove Ndume from his leadership position.
Ndume’s removal as Chief Whip is seen as a consequence of his criticisms of the government, which apparently did not align with the party’s stance. The development highlights the internal dynamics within the APC and the consequences of dissenting voices within the party’s ranks.
Ndume had stated that Tinubu was “caged” and unaware of the severity of Nigerians’ hunger and hardship. Some senators, mainly from the northern region, are said to be upset with Ndume, feeling he portrayed Tinubu and his administration in a negative light.
TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the Senate went into a closed-door session following Senator Ireti Kingibe’s question on why the FCT budget was raised without her input.
Kingibe and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, have been at odds over the runnings of FCT affairs, and the latter has vowed to unseat her in 2027.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also talked down the senator, asking Wike to ignore her during a flag-off ceremony at Kugbo Bus Terminal in the FCT.
Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
