10th Senate Presidency: I Opted Out Of Race Because I Have No Money To Share

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has said that the leadership tussle in the Senate is all about money.

Ndume has maintained that he opted out of the race for two reasons; the fact that the President told him to consider withdrawing and secondly, the claim that he has no money to share around.

Appearing on Arise TV on Tuesday, the lawmaker, who contested for the Senate President in the ninth assembly and scored 28 votes, said he decided to throw his weight behind Godswill Akpabio this time around for reasons of stability, fairness and equity.

“It’s unfortunate that everybody has now known that the Senate Presidency and leadership tussle is now a money thing rather than capacity, capability and other qualifications that are supposed to matter most.

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“Truly I’m the one leading the campaign for Akpabio for reasons I’ve stated before. It is based on the need to have stability, equity and justice and fairness in the country considering the heightened tension arising from issues especially the zoning, religion and whatever.

“When the President spoke to me about stepping down and considering that I don’t have the money to go into this battle because money is playing more roles than qualifications, I obliged and decided to work for Akpabio,” he said.

The outspoken senator said the race was being overshadowed by the influence of money rather than merit, experience, and vision for the future of the legislative body.

“People are talking about figures. Nobody has approached me about money but definitely money is going around. Some are talking about 10, 20, 30, 40 and even more than that. Some are even boasting that they’re going to give every Senator up to $200,000. Honestly, that is very unfortunate,” Ndume said.