‘I stand by my statements on Tinubu’s interview,’ Ndume reacts to removal as Senate Chief Whip

The sacked Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has reacted to his removal from the position.

The Senate on Wednesday removed the outspoken lawmaker as Chief Whip following the recommendation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC).

He had since been replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Mohammed Monguno, in that position.

Ndume was removed a few days after he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style.

The lawmaker, who featured in a programme on Arise TV, said the president has been caged by his aides in Aso Rock.

He added that Tinubu was not aware of the challenges faced by Nigerians because he was far removed from the current realities in the country.

He also argued that former President Muhammadu Buhari was a more accessible leader.

Ndume, who spoke with journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, said the statement that led to his removal as Chief Whip did not warrant the decision.

READ ALSO: NDUME: Atiku says Senate now a puppet

The lawmaker revealed that he rejected the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism due to lack of experience.

He said: “I did not say anything wrong. And therefore I want to state that I stand by all my statements in the interview I granted.

“So, I know that I’m not wrong. The people are not wrong by speaking the truth and standing by the truth.

“And I pray that the president who by now, I expect the message should have gotten to him, looks at what I have said and takes appropriate measures to eliminate the suffering of the people.

“Secondly, the party that recommended to the Senate that I should be removed from being the chief whip of the Senate, I take that as an act of God because if it is God who gave me that position. It is God that took it through APC. So, I bear no grudges about that.

“After all, I did not contest to be the chief whip. I did not contest to be the vice chairman of the appropriation committee. I contested to be the se one of the Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God granted me that victory and I’m happy with God, what God has given to me.”

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