The leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the removal of the Senator representing Borno North, Ali Ndume, as chief whip of the Senate.
Naturenex recalls that Ndume was sacked as the chief whip last Wednesday and was immediately replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Tahir Monguno, over his criticism of Tinubu’s administration.
His replacement by the Senate followed a directive issued in a letter written by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola.
The request was put to voice votes by Akpabio on the floor of the Senate and loudly affirmed by all the APC senators.
In an interview with Punch, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, said APC does not believe in freedom of expression, even among its senior members.
He said they are happy that Nigerians are beginning to see the true character of the ruling party, which does not believe in the rule of law.
He said, “That is the party at the centre, the APC playing their gymnastics. A party that does not believe in freedom of expression, even among its senior members; a party whose national chairman (Dr Abdullahi Ganduje) refused to obey a valid court summon. I am talking about himself and his family.
“This same party dares to tell Nigerians they believe in the rule of law. No, they don’t and that (sacking of Ndume) is what they are showing. Anyway, it is their internal problem or whatever they decide to call it.”
In response, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, said many people seemed to miss why Ndume was removed.
According to Duru, the ruling party welcomes all views because it is the beauty of democracy.
He said, “The reality is that there was a concern whether as chief whip, he did not have access to the leadership of the country and the leadership of the party. We are unaware that he was denied the opportunity to meet with Mr President. He should be in a position to enjoy such liberty.
“It is only on that account if he had said that he is not enjoying that privilege, that it could be something to put on the table. But a blanket statement of him saying Mr President has become insular may be what informed the position of Senate to remove him from his position as chief whip of the party.
“We welcome every view, whether positive or contrary. It is the beauty of democracy. Parties must be allowed to ventilate their views and people must again be allowed to express their opinion on any matter, so long as it coheres to party discipline, and members interaction and ensuring that it does not disturb the cohesion within the party.”
