Former Senate Leader, the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, said the 9th National Assembly did not put Nigeria’s agenda first but holds its loyalty to the country’s President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Ndume said this as he declared interest to contest for the position of Senate President in the 10th National Assembly taking off on May 29.
Speaking with Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Ndume warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against zoning the position of the Senate President, stressing that the senators should be allowed to decide their leader.
Ndume who is presently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army also unveiled a ten-point agenda for the 10th National Assembly which he said he would implement as the President of the Senate.
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According to the lawmaker, the 9th Senate did not put Nigeria’s interest first but was too loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari. “My 10-point agenda for the 10th Senate is to put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first.”
His words: “Senate President should be one not first among equals. Work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive and Judicial Arms of government without undermining the principles of separation of power.
”Make new laws and review existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Especially Security and welfare of Citizens; Job Creation; Economic and Infrastructural Development; Fight against Corruption; Health Care Development; Education and Political inclusion/ Power devolution.
“Amend and review existing tax laws to: Generate more income and Block leakages. Ensure transparency through open accountability with the full participation of all Senators. Protect and improve on welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly Workers.
His declaration is coming barely two days after he claimed that politicians have started “buying” positions with dollars, in the leadership of the coming 10th National Assembly, noting that he had no money to contest.
Ndume’s legislative career started at the House of Representatives in 2003 where he was elected to represent Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency and was re-elected in April 2007 and was elected as the Minority Leader.
In 2011, Ali Ndume joined the red chamber after defeating Dr Asaba Vilita Bashir under the opposition All Nigerian People Party (ANPP) and was reelected in 2015 under APC and elected the Senate Majority Leader before he was impeached by APC Senators a year later.
He was suspended for six months from the 8th Assembly in 2017 but reelected in 2019 and contested for the Senate President but lost to the incumbent, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Senator Ndume was re-elected in the February 25th National Assembly election to represent Borno South again.
