Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
The announcement was made by Ndume at his country home in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, just 48 hours after his removal as the Chief Whip of the Senate.
Ndume’s removal followed his criticism of President Bola Tinubu, according to reports by the GOVIMA . Reacting to his ousting, Ndume expressed that, after reviewing his comments, which had angered his colleagues, he believed the punishment was unwarranted.
Explaining his decision to decline the chairmanship of the Tourism Committee, Ndume cited his lack of experience and exposure in the tourism sector as the primary reasons. He mentioned that he was offered the opportunity to choose a vice chairmanship position on any committee, in recognition of his role in the successful campaign that led to the election of Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate.
Amidst speculations about his potential resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndume confirmed his commitment to remain in the party. He emphasised his status as a founding member of the APC, recalling his involvement as one of the 22 senators who transitioned from the PDP to form the APC, during a period when the current national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, served as a deputy governor in Kano State.