Senate asks Ndume to vacate Chief Whip’s office

The senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has rejected a new office allocated to him by the Senate Services Committee.

According to parliamentary practices, Ndume is expected to move to another office following his sacking as the Whip of the Senate.

The PUNCH gathered that Ndume was asked to vacate his current office and move to the third floor to allow for the new Chief Whip, Senator Tahiir  Mongonu, to take over the office.

Responding to his allocation to a new office on the third floor, Ndume, in a letter addressed to the Chairman, Senate Services Committee, Senator Sunday Karimi, on Tuesday, said the office given him did not reflect his seniority and high-ranking posture at the Senate.

The letter, signed by his Chief Confidential Secretary, Shuaibu Gawu, read,  “I am directed to inform you that distinguished Senator Mohammed All Ndume has rejected the allocation of office Number 3.10 by the committee. This is because offices are traditionally allocated on a seniority basis. Senator Ndume is the most senior senator after Senator Ahmad Lawan and will only occupy an office on the fourth floor.”

Ndume was relieved of the Chief Whip’s position over his constant criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He was removed on the strength of a letter written to the Senate by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

The ruling party warned him to desist from further attacking the President and the party or he should consider leaving the party.