Ndume blows hot, says ‘I stand by my statements’
Barely 48 hours after he was stripped of his position as Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume has said he stands by ever statement he made, stressing that he was unfairly treated.
Ndume spoke in Maiduguri on Friday, insisting he does not regret any statement he made that led to his removal. He said:
“I did not say anything wrong and therefore I want to state that I stand by all my statements in the interview I granted. So, I know that I’m not wrong. The people are not wrong by speaking the truth and standing by the truth.
“And I pray that the president who by now, I expect the message should have gotten to him, looks at what I have said and takes appropriate measures to eliminate the suffering of the people.
“Secondly, the party that recommended to the Senate that I should be removed from being the chief whip of the Senate, I take that as an act of God because if it is God who gave me that position, it is God that took it through APC. So, I bear no grudges about that. After all, I did not contest to be the chief whip. I did not contest to be the vice chairman of the appropriation committee. I contested to be the be one of the Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God granted me that victory and I’m happy with God and what God has given to me.
“So, I’m not interested in accepting the committee on tourism for the two reasons I told you. I told you I’m inexperienced in that. I don’t know anything, I’m not knowledgeable about tourism. So, I would, if any, prefer to remain as an ordinary member so that I can learn about tourism.”
Senator is known for speaking his mind on national issues including criticising his own party.