Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has been removed from his position as Chief Whip of the Senate for the second time.
This decision, similar to his removal as Leader of the 8th Senate in January 2017, was announced during a plenary session on Wednesday.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) requested Ndume’s removal, citing his unguarded utterances against the federal government and Senator Bola Tinubu.
The NWC’s letter, co-signed by APC National Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The letter expressed the party’s displeasure with Ndume’s behavior, describing him as a “mole in the party.”
It stated, “His uncouth and rabid outbursts against the government… undermine the party’s unity and cohesion.”
Ndume’s criticism of the government, particularly on Arise Television, where he referred to the Tinubu administration as being run by “thieves,” was highlighted as a major concern.
The NWC advised Ndume to resign from the APC and join an opposition party.
The letter urged the Senate to maintain decorum and replace Ndume with Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno as Chief Whip. Following the reading of the letter, APC Senators unanimously accepted the NWC’s request through a voice vote.
In addition to losing his Chief Whip position, Ndume was demoted from Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to Chairman of the Committee on Tourism. Senator Monguno took over Ndume’s previous roles.
A motion by Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC Ekiti North) suggested that Ndume face the Senate Committee on Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Privileges for his alleged misconduct.
However, Senate President Akpabio remarked that since the NWC’s request for Ndume’s removal had been approved, he should be forgiven for now.
