A Nigerian Senator, Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has cast doubt over President Bola Tinubu’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election, warning that elite endorsements may not translate into electoral victory.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume distanced himself from the recent endorsement of Tinubu by 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, saying the move reminded him of the ill-fated support former President Goodluck Jonathan received in 2015.
“I am not part of the endorsement,” Ndume said bluntly. “I was at the Villa that day for a summit, but when I realised it had turned into a political gathering to endorse the president, I quietly left. That does not mean I am no longer a member of the APC, but I simply do not support that approach.”
The senator warned that the endorsement was reminiscent of the build-up to the 2015 elections when 22 PDP governors backed Jonathan, who eventually lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC despite the apparent show of political strength.
“Jonathan had 22 governors backing him. Billions were spent. The election was even postponed. Yet, he lost woefully. Why? Because Nigerians wanted change,” Ndume stated.
He added that Nigeria is currently in a dire state, and ordinary citizens are fast losing faith in the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“Things are very bad in the country. Nigerians cannot see any hope. They are doubting the Renewed Hope. Politicians may be decamping, but the voters, the people who matter are not. The president must reflect and learn from history.”
Ndume, a vocal lawmaker known for his critical stance on national issues, said the optics of political endorsement often mislead leaders into a false sense of popularity, warning Tinubu not to fall into the same trap.
“I pity Mr President,” he concluded. “He needs to know that endorsements do not win elections. Performance does.”
