Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the seasoned lawmaker, who has spent nearly two decades in the National Assembly, said such don’t always guarantee election victory.
He referenced the 2015 election, where former President Goodluck Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari despite being endorsed by 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.
“Jonathan had 22 governors then endorsing him like was done now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully. A lot of money was spent. Even the election was shifted but we are not learning our lessons. I pity Mr President,” Ndume said.
Ndume, a senior member of the APC, revealed that he does not support the recent endorsement of Tinubu, citing Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, rising cost of living, and increasing insecurity.
He added that many Nigerians are losing hope in Tinubu’s so-called “Renewed Hope” administration.
“Nigerians cannot see any hope, they are doubting the Renewed Hope,” he said.
The senator also shared that he walked out of the Banquet Hall at the Presidential Villa during the endorsement announcement.
According to him, he had attended a summit but left after realizing that it had turned into a political endorsement event.
“I was there but that was not why I was there; I was there for a summit, and when I realised that it was not a summit and voice vote was put about the endorsement of Mr President, I just left, and that does not mean I am not an APC member. The majority had its way but few of us felt that was not right,” Ndume explained.
“It happened before, not once, not twice. It happened during Jonathan. That does not mean anything. Politicians are decamping but the people who are the voters are not decamping,”
He warned the APC and President Tinubu not to confuse political endorsements with support from Nigerians.
The endorsement by 22 APC governors, which took place on May 22, 2025, positioned Tinubu as the party’s preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential race.
