Chief Whip: Ndume’s fate now in Senate’s hand, says APC

There are indications that the upper chamber of the National Assembly may decide on the proposed reinstatement of Senator Ali Ndume as Chief Whip after its ongoing recess.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have embarked on their annual recess and won’t resume until September 17.

Ndume was on July 17 relieved of his position as the Senate Chief Whip following a request to the Senate by the APC leadership.

The ruling party was angry with the Borno lawmaker for his open criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the party.

He was immediately replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Tahir Monguno, following a directive issued to that effect in a letter written by the APC National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

But weeks later, Ndume visited the National Working Committee of the ruling in Abuja to tender an apology.

In response, the APC national chairman, who described the matter as a family affair, said Ndume had been forgiven and the party would write to the Senate to restore his position as the Chief Whip.

On Sunday, the National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, confirmed to  The PUNCH that the party had communicated with the Senate.

He said, “I think it is now down to the senators to do what is considered to be the right decision.

“I don’t think it is in our hands anymore. There is already an engagement with the leadership of the Senate,” Duru said.