The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to former Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, advising him to refrain from publicly criticizing the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The party urged Ndume to instead address his concerns directly with the president in private.
In an interview with ThePaan, the APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, emphasized that influential figures like Ndume should carefully consider their public statements.
Ndume recently called on President Tinubu to address the economic hardships faced by citizens before the situation worsens. He alleged that certain individuals within the president’s inner circle were promoting detrimental reforms and policies that could jeopardize the government’s stability.
However, Ibrahim cautioned Ndume to be more judicious in his comments. When asked if the APC was troubled by Ndume’s recent public remarks, he responded that as a fellow party member, Ndume should communicate his concerns privately to the president.
“In a democratic setting, individuals are entitled to express their opinions freely. However, since Ali Ndume is a senior party member and an informal adviser to the President, he should convey his concerns directly to him, considering the policies and agenda of our party,” Ibrahim stated.
He further noted that Ndume, as a respected legislator and former Chief Whip, possesses the means to communicate with party leaders privately without resorting to public criticism. “It’s important for him to recognize his influence, as many people look up to him. He must choose his words carefully to avoid being misquoted or misunderstood. I believe he intends well, but whether the APC feels disappointed or considers any disciplinary action will be determined by the party,” Ibrahim added.
This warning comes three months after Ndume was removed from his position as Chief Whip for publicly embarrassing the President during a live television appearance.
The Borno lawmaker had claimed that Tinubu was being kept in the dark regarding the difficulties faced by Nigerians, a comment that displeased the ruling party.
