Ali Ndume

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has broken ranks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that President Bola Tinubu faces a stiff re-election battle in 2027 against opposition heavyweights Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Ndume rejected the air of overconfidence around the presidency, insisting that Tinubu’s inner circle is shielding him from reality.

“I’m not that worried, but at the same time, I don’t take opponents for granted,” Ndume said. “That is the mistake many of us are making, especially those that are around Mr. President, having problems with telling him the fact—the truth.”

His remarks came after the show’s host warned that “the storm is coming,” naming Atiku, Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as potential threats, and suggesting the APC could be “packing from the Villa” after the next election.

Ndume said he had already faced backlash from unexpected quarters over previous comments about “reciprocating what the President did to us.”

“Many people that I didn’t expect… shouted at me, saying ‘Why did you say that?’” he said. “But the President is my president, he is in my party, we are going to struggle it out together.”

While noting that neither Obi nor Atiku is a new contender — “Obi did it—tried it before. Atiku tried it before” — Ndume conceded the scale of the challenge ahead.

“It can be like the WWE… they get prepared and they want to take this thing,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough fight, yeah, I agree with that.”

By Uzair Adam 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong warning to Senator Ali Ndume following his recent remarks suggesting that President Bola Tinubu could face the same electoral fate as former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2027 if urgent reforms are not implemented.

Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the statement during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday.

Responding to his remarks, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, on Tuesday acknowledged Ndume’s longstanding role within the party but stressed that discipline within the party is of utmost importance.

“Senator Ndume is a senior and respected member of the APC. This is not the first time he has aired his views publicly about how the country is being governed by his party, sometimes expressing dissent or contrary opinions,” Ibrahim said.

He continued, “However, the APC is a party of liberal-minded people. We do not reject diverse ideas, provided they do not violate the party’s constitution.”

Ibrahim reiterated that while the APC upholds internal democracy and freedom of expression, members are expected to operate within the party’s defined limits.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, has faulted the governors’ endorsement of a 30% derivation formula in the proposed Tax Reform Bills, citing that it is excessive and unfair to other regions.

The Tax Reform Bills, which include the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, have sparked heated debates across the country since their introduction in the National Assembly.

The bills aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, streamline revenue collection, and introduce a revised revenue-sharing formula have passed the second reading in the Senate.

After a period of vehement opposition, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, last week standing up from a meeting with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, threw its support behind the bills, proposing a Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula of 50% equality, 30% derivation, and 20% population.

This position was outlined in a communiqué signed by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq who is the chairman of the forum.

However, Ndume who has been very critical of the bills, expressed dissatisfaction with the governors’ stance during a phone interview with our correspondent on Sunday in Abuja.

He questioned the justification for allocating 30% of derivation to oil-producing regions.

He was quoted as saying, “Even in regions bearing the brunt of oil exploration, taking 30% is too much.

“Why would they take that amount when others are also in need of development funds?”

The senator also criticized the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for charging 4% as collection fees, describing it as an exorbitant administrative cost.

“The FIRS is only performing administrative functions, so why should they be charging 4%? Collection fees should not exceed 1%,” he argued.

Ndume voiced concerns over the economic burden on Nigerians and called for a reduction in VAT rates.

He said, “At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, tax rates should be decreased to 5% or even 3%, just as Ghana and the United States have done to support their citizens. Expanding the tax base and ensuring corporations like banks and telecom companies pay their fair share is the way forward.”

While acknowledging that tax reform is long overdue, Ndume insisted it must prioritize the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

“We need to reform the tax system, but it should not disadvantage the masses, especially now when they are barely surviving.”

The senator urged the National Assembly to carefully review the proposed legislation to address these concerns and ensure the reforms are fair, equitable, and beneficial to all Nigerians.