Be Worried if Buhari is not on Your Side, Senator Ndume Tells Tinubu

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has sent a message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advising him to be concerned if former President Muhammadu Buhari is not on his side.

Ndume, in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, emphasized the continued influence of Buhari in Northern Nigeria, describing his followership as “occultic” and deeply entrenched among the masses.

Although acknowledging that Buhari’s popularity has waned since leaving office, Ndume maintained that the former president’s base, particularly in the North, remains strong. He noted that Buhari’s ability to attract crowds, even among the most ordinary people, is a testament to his enduring influence. “If Buhari is coming here now, you will see people rushing to see him. Everybody, including those in the vegetable market, will rush here. Buhari is still with the Talakawas,” Ndume said.

The senator further added that Tinubu should be “worried” if Buhari were to turn against him, as every vote counts in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. “Tinubu should be worried if Buhari is not on his side. Every number counts, and Buhari has one vote. Tinubu should also be worried about my position, because I have one vote for him, but he does not have a vote for me,” Ndume explained.

This warning follows a development in Nigerian politics, where Buhari’s loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under scrutiny. Recently, opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, visited Buhari’s residence in Kaduna, fueling speculation about the former president’s political future.

There are growing concerns over the potential exit of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, which Buhari led before merging with other parties to form the APC. The defection of key APC figures, including former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and several ministers who served under Buhari, has raised alarms within the party. Many of these individuals are reportedly preparing to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The APC, facing defections ahead of the 2027 elections, is increasingly worried about the potential impact of losing Buhari’s loyalists. In a recent meeting, APC governors reportedly sought Buhari’s intervention to prevent further defections, urging him to convince his CPC supporters to remain within the APC fold. However, Buhari reportedly declined to intervene, maintaining that he would not force anyone to stay in the party, emphasizing the principle of allowing individuals to make their own political decisions.

Despite the defections, Buhari has reiterated his loyalty to the APC. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari confirmed his commitment to the party that helped him rise to the presidency, even after El-Rufai’s departure. “I will never turn my back on the APC, which gave me the platform to become Nigeria’s number one citizen,” Buhari stated.