Ndume: Tinubu is My Mentor, I Criticise His Policies, Not Him

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The senator for Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, has expressed his unwavering respect for President Bola Tinubu, clarifying, however, that his stance on government policies are aimed at bettering the society, and not to impugn the president as a person.

Speaking on a television programme, the senator stated that his relationship with Tinubu remained robust. He reiterated his commitment to constructive criticism for the betterment of Nigeria.

“I am not a critique of the government. It is our government. President Tinubu is one of my mentors,” Ndume said.

Clarifying a viral picture of him and Tinubu in a cheerful mood, he said of the president, “He always says that I don’t come to the villa. I told him that he didn’t ask me to, and he said I can come tonight.

“Then he (Tinubu) said he is attending my daughter’s wedding, even though it coincided with the Nigerian Army Remembrance Day. So after the ceremony, I was expecting him to leave. He said he is not going anywhere; that he is going to attend the wedding. That is what actually happened.”

Ndume explained his approach to governance and criticism, and said he did not criticise Tinubu but his policies.

He stated, “In all of my critiques, I don’t criticise my elders. Tinubu is my senior, I respect him, though, I disagree with him in some cases in order for us to agree for the betterment of Nigeria. I criticise policies, not Tinubu. I criticised policies of Buhari, but I’m closer to Tinubu than Buhari.”

Ndume had in November stated that the tax reform bills sent by Tinubu were “dead on arrival”.

He explained, “Our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill, they don’t even want to hear about it. That is why we are going to make it dead on arrival.”

He urged Tinubu to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum and withdraw the bills immediately.

Meanwhile, Ndume urged the president to prioritise implementation of the federal budget and focus on critical areas, like security and welfare.

He said, “I have always said it to Mr. President: implement the budget, and Nigerians will be happy. Concentrate on two things – security and welfare of citizens – and then every other thing will come.”