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APC Consults Senate On Reinstating Ali Ndume As Chief Whip
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has initiated discussions with the Senate leadership to reinstate Senator Ali Ndume as the Chief Whip, just a month after his removal.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, was relieved of his position following his repeated public criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
Ndume had openly stated that the President was being “caged” and shielded from the realities of the hardships faced by Nigerians, a stance that displeased the ruling party.
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Consequently, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, was appointed as the new Chief Whip, as directed in a letter by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Basiru Ajibola.
After a two-hour closed-door meeting with the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja last Tuesday, a visibly subdued Ndume apologized unreservedly to the party. APC Chairman Ganduje confirmed that Ndume’s apology was accepted, referring to the issue as a “family affair.”
Following this development, sources within the APC revealed that the party had begun consultations with Senate leadership to reconsider Ndume’s removal. The APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, confirmed the ongoing discussions, emphasizing that the final decision rests with the Senate leadership.
Duru added that the APC is a law-abiding party that welcomes back members who are willing to correct their missteps and adhere to the party’s constitution.
He noted that Ndume’s apology and acknowledgment of his mistake have paved the way for a possible reinstatement, pending the Senate’s decision.
“There will be many backdoor consultations and discussions that would address all the parties concerned for the important thing to be done, not just on the surface of it.
“The APC is a party that is law-abiding and motivates for consensus. You know Ndume is a ranking member of the party and well respected too.
“That was why we embraced him with a golden handshake and the meeting ended in a convivial atmosphere.”
The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, said the move to have Ndume reinstated as the Senate Chief Whip was not strange as the executive and legislative arms were free to reshuffle and reassign portfolios as they deem fit.
“Why not? Of course, there is nothing strange there. This is an in-house thing. Even in the executive arm of the government, a cabinet reshuffle is normal.
APC Reinstating Ndume Chief Whip
“The legislature can also reshuffle and reassign portfolios. Nobody has an entitlement to any position. It is at the discretion of the leader of the House or the Senate to assign portfolios to people they think can run the office to satisfaction.
“In any case, Ndume is a senior senator for that matter. There is nothing wrong if the Senate finds him good for that position.
“I don’t think there is any law that says he cannot be reinstated. Moreover, this is one Senate that is trying to be as rancour-free as possible under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio.
“So, I am sure if they feel the need to reinstate him, all the necessary consultations will be made to ensure that it is done in a way that will not create any hitch.
“This is my belief.
“He apologised and the party accepted his apology. So it’s an in-house thing. It is a problem within the family that can always be resolved without necessarily going for an intermediary.
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“So I believe the party will put in place all the necessary things that need to be done for him to be reinstated. That is not my place to say. It is the discretion of the Senate and the discretion of the party,” Ibrahim said.
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