Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, cautioning that the president may suffer a defeat similar to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s in 2015 despite receiving endorsements from 22 governors. Ndume recalled that Jonathan, then the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, was backed by 22 PDP governors but still lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume expressed concern that Tinubu’s current endorsements might create a false sense of security. “Tinubu could be given the Jonathan treatment because Jonathan also had 22 governors who endorsed him like we did now. And what happened? Jonathan lost woefully,” he said.
Ndume stressed that the country’s “crippling economic hardship” and rising public dissatisfaction could lead to an upset if not addressed. He also criticized the APC’s internal moves, such as rumors of automatic tickets for incumbent lawmakers, warning that sidelining grassroots supporters could be detrimental. “You cannot rely on governors alone,” Ndume added, urging Tinubu to implement policies that would genuinely improve Nigerians’ lives to secure his re-election chances.