In a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Ndume said that reports in the media which insinuated that he refused enteritis by the vice president to step down for the senate majority leader, Ahmad Lawan were false.
He said : “It was a misinformation. The truth is, it is usual for me to meet with the vice president to discuss issues of common interest, especially the humanitarian crisis in the northeast, of which the vice president has shown exceptional interest in helping out.
“I normally go there to brief him on developments in the region, especially the performance of the orphanage scheme which he initiated in Borno that is accommodating over 1200 orphans – their education and welfare.
He added: “And then, we also discussed general issues that affect the country as well as the way forward on the humanitarian crisis especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and not just in Borno State but also IDPs situations all over the country.”
Ndume stated further that he has soft spots for the vice president and that apart from his closeness to the number two citizen, he also has a personal relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari and holds both in highest esteem.
According to him, the insinuation that he was working against the presidency’s interest was incorrect. “I think it is a spin from well-known quarters.”
‘The Senator added: “Personally, l’m a committed Buharist. Whether I become the Senate President or not, I will continue to stand by him, defend his policies because I see him as a mentor. And I believe that Mr. President has nothing against my aspiration for the office of the Senate President because I sought his permission long before the general election and he gave me his go-ahead. I have not heard anything otherwise from him.
“I believe he will not go against my aspiration, because as he said he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody. And he sticks to that. I am sure that the least he can do is to allow the constitution, which he strongly believes in, and the rule of law to prevail in the emergence of the senate leadership.
“So, I want to use this opportunity to clear the air as to those that are trying to cause disaffection.”
Ndume assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership of his commitment to party ideals adding that he would do what js right within the and doing what is right in line with the constitution of Nigeria.
He added: “What I am doing now is to strengthen democracy, to in fact improve on or deepen democracy and to stand by what APC believes in. Mr. President stood for election. It was open. He contested against three people. And even when it was zoned outside our zone, Mr. President allowed a level playing ground. Okorocha contested.
“During his second term, he subjected himself to the process of democracy that led to his emergence. During our gubernatorial elections he came clearly to say people should be allowed to elect persons of their choice even in his own case. So, I will be surprised if anything otherwise comes from him.”
