The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned Senator Ali Ndume against publicly criticising President Bola Tinubu’s policies, urging him to convey his concerns privately.
The APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, stressed the importance of party loyalty and discretion among senior party members in an interview on Sunday.
“Ndume is one of the President’s advisers at large. If you belong to the same party as the President, you must share certain things with him in private,” Ibrahim stated.
He emphasised that senior members should consider their influence carefully, adding, “People must take note of their position and the fact that they have followers who will assess them based on what they say or do.”
The remarks followed Ndume’s recent statements warning that Nigerians’ hardship could escalate due to what he described as “harmful reforms” driven by individuals close to Tinubu.
Ndume, representing Borno South, argued that these actors might intentionally damage Tinubu’s image.
Ndume previously faced a party backlash and lost his position as Senate Chief Whip after publicly criticising Tinubu’s leadership.
Though reinstated following an apology, his recent comments have once again stirred concerns within the APC.
Ibrahim highlighted that while the APC respects the freedom to express opinions, Ndume’s statements could be misunderstood, advising the senator to weigh his words carefully.
“Many people hold Ndume in high esteem, so he must always weigh his words for fear of being misquoted or misinterpreted. But I want to believe he is doing so in good faith,” he remarked.
This latest exchange highlights ongoing tension within the APC as members grapple with addressing public criticism of the President’s policies.
