Former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has urged citizens across political divides to rally behind President Bola Tinubu, insisting that unity remains the most effective tool to address the country’s challenges.
In his passionate appeal to Nigerians to stand firmly behind the President, Ndume said the Nigerian leader needs capable hands around him to succeed in his administration.
“Some may wonder why I speak frankly at times. It is because I fear people may think we are failing when in truth we have a leader who is genuinely committed. No one man can be the captain, the goalkeeper, and a striker at the same time. The President needs capable hands around him,” Ndume said at the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, where he was honoured as the Most Outstanding Legislator and Advocate of National Unity.
“What Nigeria needs now is unity,” Ndume insists, adding that “Charity begins at home. Let us stand together behind our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With unity, we can move this country forward.”
Ndume noted that while he occasionally criticises government actions, it is driven by concern for the country’s progress and not by opposition to the President.
“My commitment to Nigeria’s progress and confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership remain firm,” he added.
Ndume expressed deep concern over the growing wave of defections from the opposition into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that indiscriminate admissions could weaken the party rather than strengthen it.
“I have warned that the APC is becoming overloaded. And when you overload a ship, especially with empty cargo, it risks capsizing,” he said.
He criticised political actors who, upon defecting, immediately seek influence without contributing meaningfully.
He likened the behaviour to “a pastor who leaves his church and immediately wants to become the pastor in charge of the new church,” saying such tendencies naturally breed confusion and internal friction.
Ndume stressed that for President Tinubu’s reforms to succeed, incompetent and corrupt individuals must be removed from all arms of government.
He argued that the President needs a team driven by competence and integrity—not the “kakistocrats and kleptocrats” whom he says undermine governance and impede progress.
