KEY POINTS
- It is not a personality issue, says Ndume, who says he has respect for Tinubu but faults his policies.
- He opposes tax reform bills and is of the opinion that there should be reduction of the tax burdens on Nigerians.
- Calls on President Tinubu to prioritise security and welfare along with budget implementation.
Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, explained that he will not ditch President Bola Tinubu for president and that the relationship is that of respect for a mentor not exclusion from his criticism of government.
Speaking during Politics Today on Channels Television, Ndume affirmed that his criticisms are in the line of trying to improve on the governance in the country as well as making the lives of Nigerians better.
“I am not a critic of the government.” It is our government. Ndume said President Tinubu is one of my mentors.
Mentor – Mentee relationship
Ndume recalled an instance he said he had with Tinubu recently where he noted their cordial relationship. In the interview, he said that Tinubu was insistent on attending his daughter’s wedding but the day coincided with the Nigerian Army Remembrance Day.
‘He always says I don’t come to the Villa.’ I said he didn’t ask me to come and He told him I can come anytime. Ndume revealed that ‘he went to my daughter’s wedding, and he stayed longer than expected.’
Ndume however, while reaffirming his respect for Tinubu as an elder and mentor, insisted that the disagreement with the President is policy driven.
No personal attacks, only policy criticism
To govern, ndume explained, he aims his criticisms of government policies and not individuals.
“I don’t criticise my elders. Though, I don’t agree with all the policies of Tinubu for the Nigeria but I respect him. But I criticised so much of what Buhari was doing, I’m closer to Tinubu than I was for Buhari,” he said.
Recently, Ndume opposed Tinubu’s administration’s tax reform bills it submitted, arguing that it’s ‘dead on arrival.’ He also demanded that the government should lighten Nigerians’ tax load instead of increasing this.
They say our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill.” We appeal to Tinubu to listen, that’s why we are going to make it dead on arrival’ says Ndume. This was in view of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum to withdraw the bills.
Security and Welfare Priority
Ndume urged the President to concentrate on some of the critical issues on the federal budget and securing the citizens’ welfare.
“I’ve always said to Mr. President: If all these can be implemented, Nigerians will be happy with the budget and security and welfare will be focused on. He said everything else would follow.
Ndume’s remarks underscore his approach to governance: constructive criticism focused on improving the policy while preserving a very strong relationship with the President.
