Senator Ndume Denies Boko Haram Negotiation and ₦5 Billion Allegations
Senator Ali Ndume has vehemently denied allegations linking him to Boko Haram negotiations and illicit payments, dismissing claims by a youth alliance president. Ndume reiterated his long-standing opposition to negotiating with terrorists and revealed that the Federal Government is investigating the accusations. He called for the accuser to provide concrete evidence.
Senator Ali Ndume has denied allegations linking him to negotiations with Boko Haram or receiving funds from the Federal Government to facilitate the release of abducted persons in Borno State.
The Borno South lawmaker described the claims as false and reiterated that he has consistently opposed negotiating with or paying ransom to terrorist groups. He maintained that he has never acted as an intermediary for Boko Haram at any time.
The allegations were made by Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, who claimed Ndume received ₦5 billion from the Federal Government for negotiations involving abducted residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Kaigama further alleged that only ₦1.9 billion was paid to Boko Haram, leaving the remaining funds unaccounted for. Speaking on Channels Television, Ndume rejected the claims and stated that he had publicly opposed similar negotiations during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ndume disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced an investigation into the allegations and called for Kaigama to provide evidence to support his claims. He also recalled being arrested and prosecuted in 2011 over alleged links to a purported Boko Haram negotiator, a case that was eventually dismissed after investigators failed to produce evidence against him. The senator insisted that due process should be followed in determining the truth of the allegations.