Tinubu Is My Mentor, I Respect Him, But Not His Policies – Ali Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has emphasized his respect for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while clarifying his position on certain government policies.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume highlighted his longstanding relationship with the president and reaffirmed his dedication to Nigeria’s progress.

He stressed that his role as a senator includes offering constructive criticism, which he believes is essential for ensuring effective governance and fostering national development.

“I have great respect for President Tinubu, but my priority remains the betterment of Nigeria,” Ndume stated. He further explained that his critiques are not personal but are aimed at improving policy decisions and promoting accountability.

“I am not a critique of the government. It is our government. President Tinubu is one of my mentors.”

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Clarifying a viral picture of him and Tinubu in a cheerful mood, he said, “He always says that I don’t come to the Villa. I told him that he didn’t ask me to, and he said I can come tonight.

“Then he [Tinubu] said he is attending my daughter’s wedding, even though it coincided with the Nigerian Army Remembrance Day. So after the ceremony, I was expecting him to leave. He said he is not going anywhere; that he is going to attend the wedding. That is what actually happened.”

Ndume then went on to clarify his approach to governance and criticism, stressing that he does not criticise Tinubu but rather his policies.

“In all of my critiques, I don’t criticise my elders. Tinubu is my senior, I respect him, though I disagree with him in some cases in order for us to agree for the better of Nigeria. I criticise policies, not Tinubu. I criticised policies of Buhari, but I’m closer to Tinubu than Buhari.”

Recall Ndume had in November stated that the tax reform bills sent by President Bola Tinubu are “dead on arrival.”

He argued that the Federal Government should be looking to reduce, rather than increase, the tax burden on Nigerians.

Ndume explained, “Our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill, they don’t even want to hear about it. That is why we are going to make it dead on arrival,” urging President Tinubu to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum and withdraw the bills immediately.

Meanwhile, Ndume has urged the President to prioritise implementing the federal budget and focus on critical areas like security and welfare.

“I have always said it to Mr. President: implement the budget, and Nigerians will be happy. Concentrate on two things: security and welfare of citizens, and then every other thing will come,” Ndume said on Tuesday during Channels Television’s Politics Today.

(Vanguard)