Women groups and supporters, including Wards and some Unit Coordinators of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume in the Southern Borno Senatorial District, have vowed to stage a peaceful protest naked to the national assembly.
This comes following the removal of Ndume from his position as Chief Whip and Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation due to his utterances against the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he claimed are characterised with ‘hunger and insecurity.
This comes as Ndume’s coordinators in each of the 101 wards from the nine (9) local government areas of Biu, Hawul, Bayo, Shani, Gwoza, Chibok, Kwaya Kusar, Askira-Uba, and Damboa stormed the ousted senator’s Maiduguri home on Thursday for a solidarity visit, vowing to support Ndume in all political ramifications.
Addressing the Senator Spokesperson of the aggrieved women groups, Mrs. Mada Musa from the Damboa council area said, “It is unfortunate that Ndume, who granted an interview with Arise TV recently echoed the voices and feelings of the masses over severe hunger and insecurity that have dominated the present administration, will be punished or relinquished his position at the Red Chamber.
“Instead for the government to act swiftly in addressing the current economic hardships and wanton killings and kidnappings, it only teamed up with the APC and the Senate Caucus and axed Ndume by unconstitutionally and unconditionally relieved him from his position as Chief Whip.
“We elected Senator Ndume to go and represent Southern Borno people, and by extension, Borno and Nigeria as a whole irrespective of political affiliations; therefore, we enjoined our Senator, who is passionate about the plights of average Nigerians, to please go back to media houses and add that, apart from hunger and insecurity in the land, there are corruption, unemployment, and loss of hope due to the bad policies of the present administration.”
Also addressing on behalf of the Ward Coordinators, Pastor Moni Mushari of Askira-Uba local government area quoted John 8:31, which states: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
To this end, Pastor Mashari stated that the 101 Ndume Ward Coordinators heartily support Senator Ndume for speaking the truth and nothing but the truth.
He stated that the people of Southern Borno are proud of Governor Babagana Zulum’s extraordinary growth and that Ndume has also contributed to the state government’s efforts to provide democratic dividends to the grassroots.
Ndume responded by expressing gratitude for the solidarity visit but also urging them to be peaceful and law-abiding.
“I sincerely thank you for the visit. I want to also advise you to engage in farming and businesses, as it is the only solution to mankind at the moment. We will continue to provide you with agricultural incentives such as fertilisers and pesticides to grow what you will eat, as we continue to receive the desired support from Governor Babagana Zulum.
“I am happy that recently, President Tinubu approved N70,000 as the minimum wage per month for Nigerian workers, but as I keep saying, the minimum wage is equivalent to a bag of rice or maize. And so, there is much need to be done compared to a family where there is one or more children who needs healthcare, transportation, school fees, house rent, and other unforeseen economic realities within the stipulated 30 working days.
“On the call by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) that I should leave the party and join any other political party, let me say that it is only God that gives power to whom He wishes. And so, I want to categorically state that I am one of the founding members of the APC; our leader, Governor Zulum, is in the APC, and wherever our governor is, that is where I belong.”
Ndume therefore urged all and sundry, especially the people of his constituency, to continue giving their full support and cooperation to the current administration of Zulum in order for the government to continue its excellent deeds.
