The Senate has removed Senator Ali Ndume as the Chief Whip and replaced him with Senator Tahir Monguno.
Ndume’s replacement by the Senate followed a directive issued to that effect in a letter written by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola.
The request was put to voice votes by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and loudly affirmed by all the APC senators
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has fired back at his colleague, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) stating that his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration was driven by a ‘pull-down syndrome.’
Karimi, in a statement on Saturday, cautioned Ndume, urging him to refrain from making derogatory statements against Tinubu’s administration.
According to Karimi, Ndume’s behaviour is “likened to that of a loose cannon” while he emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and criticism in governance.
He explained that most of Ndume’s criticisms of Tinubu’s administration appear to stem from a personal agenda to undermine the government at all costs.
He said, “Senator Ndume is inconsistent in his criticism and approach, he had been notably silent during the previous administration led by President Buhari from the North.
“Many of Senator Ndume’s allegations lack substantiated evidence and are driven by a pull-down syndrome rather than a genuine commitment to improving governance.”
Karimi added, “As an experienced legislator with over two decades of service in the National Assembly, Senator Ndume is urged to exercise caution in his statements and avoid making inflammatory remarks that could further polarize the polity and divide the nation.
“Senator Ndume should adopt a more constructive and responsible approach to criticism serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogue and fostering unity in the pursuit of national development.
“It is essential for all stakeholders in governance to prioritize the collective interests of the nation above personal agenda and political vendetta.”
The P had reported that the two senators, under the All Progressive Congress, had on Tuesday co-sponsored a motion on the food crisis ravaging the country.
Ndume had, thereafter, granted various interviews where he said Tinubu was oblivious of the happenings in the country and had been caged by certain forces.
Ndume said, “Mr. President is not in the picture of what is happening outside the Villa. He has been fenced off and caged. Many of us won’t go through the backdoor to engage him,” Ndume said. “Now they have stopped him from talking, and he doesn’t have public affairs managers, except for his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, who writes press statements. Nigerians are getting very angry.”