Endorsements Won’t Save Tinubu From Defeat Amid Public Discontent –Senator Ndume Recalls Jonathan Lost Despite Backing From 22 Governors

Senator Ali Ndume, a senior lawmaker from Borno South and staunch ally of President Bola Tinubu, has delivered a stark warning about the political weight of public discontent, stating that no number of elite endorsements will shield any president from electoral defeat if the masses are unhappy.

Speaking during an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, Ndume drew parallels between the current political atmosphere and the 2015 elections that unseated former President Goodluck Jonathan—despite Jonathan’s wide-reaching support from political heavyweights.

> “In 2015, Jonathan had the endorsement of 22 sitting governors, yet he lost. Why? Because when the people are fed up, endorsements don’t save anyone,” Ndume said pointedly.

The senator’s comments come amid growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration over harsh economic reforms, rising insecurity, and a cost-of-living crisis that has sparked outrage across Nigeria. While Tinubu has continued to receive support from various political blocs and party loyalists, Ndume cautioned against complacency, insisting that only good governance can secure public trust.

> “You can line up all the endorsements in the world, but if people are hungry and angry, it won’t count. That’s what happened in 2015. That’s what can happen again,” he warned.

Ndume, a ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is known for his unfiltered takes on governance. While he reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, he called on the president to urgently refocus his priorities and reconnect with the needs of the ordinary Nigerian.

> “The president needs to feel the pulse of the street, not just the praise from Abuja,” he said.

His remarks add to a growing wave of concern within political circles that the upcoming elections may not be business as usual—especially if economic hardship continues to erode public goodwill.

The presidency has yet to respond to Ndume’s comments.