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Senator Ali Ndume has attributed his continued electoral success to the support of his constituents, God, and some political leaders, saying he is not among those favoured within the corridors of power in the current administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the senator said he had consistently won elections because of the confidence his constituents have in him and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ndume noted that he was preparing for his seventh election, having previously served two terms in the House of Representatives and four terms in the Senate.
According to him, voters in his constituency are informed and educated enough to make independent decisions, adding that their support for him and the APC reflects their belief that both serve their interests.
The lawmaker also stated that he secured his party’s ticket through the support of God, his people and some political leaders, stressing that he is not among the popular figures within President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Ndume, who has at times been critical of the administration, said he believes public officials should be commended whenever they take actions that benefit the people.
Ndume said: “Well, you always ask me this question. By God’s grace, this is the seventh election I’m going into – two in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate – and I’ve always been winning.
“Our people are not fools. My people are mostly aware and educated. So, if you see them elect APC and Ndume is part of it, it is because they feel that APC is better for them and that’s why they vote for us or that Ndume is better.
“I don’t know tomorrow, but I know my people like me. I know if it is election that’s why I got the ticket.
“I got the ticket from God and my people and the support of some of our leaders. You know I’m not one of the popular guys on the corridor of power so far.
“You know that I’m one of the critical guys of this government, and when somebody does something that you expect or something good to you, you really have to commend him.”
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, risk boosting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election chances if they back the former Anambra State governor in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV on Wednesday, Okonkwo argued that Nigeria’s opposition must unite behind a single platform to stand a realistic chance of unseating the incumbent president.
According to him, a fragmented opposition would only strengthen Tinubu’s position ahead of the next general election.
Read Also: Duke Will Win Tinubu, Obi In Free, Fair Election – Datti Baba
“The reason I said it is that either you’re working for Tinubu directly, in other words, you’re in APC, or you’re working for Tinubu indirectly because when you divide the votes of the coalition and the opposition, you’re still making Tinubu better placed to win,” he said.
Okonkwo also criticised Obi’s reported decision to withdraw from coalition discussions within the ADC, claiming that the former Labour Party presidential candidate was unwilling to participate in a competitive primary process.
“Nobody forced Peter Obi to enter ADC. He entered on his own, and one week to the end of the closure of the time, he left and gave the reason. You can’t compete in a primary, and you want to be a politician. You want to be the president of a challenged country, and you’re running away from challenge,” he stated.
The former Labour Party spokesman further claimed that Senator Victor Umeh had previously advocated a political alliance between the South-East and northern political interests as the region’s most viable route to the presidency.
Okonkwo alleged that Umeh told him Obi was reluctant to embrace such advice.
“I told him, ‘Have you told Obi?’ He said yes, but that Peter Obi is very stubborn. That if you tell him anything, he would not believe but would continue to try,” he claimed.
Maintaining that opposition supporters should weigh their choices carefully, Okonkwo warned: “Let me tell you the truth, in 2027, anybody voting any vote whatsoever to Peter Obi, you’re voting for Tinubu, and don’t say that I didn’t tell you.”
A chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, will defeat President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi in a free, fair and credible election.
Featuring in an interview on Symfoni TV, Baba-Ahmed described Duke as one of the most qualified political figures in the country.
According to him, Nigerians have not fully appreciated the depth of his national appeal and leadership credentials.
