Senator Ali Ndume has called on President Tinubu to withdraw the ambassadorial nomination list before the Senate, alleging that the distribution violates the federal character principle. He claims some states have multiple nominees while others have none, warning that the imbalance could deepen mistrust and inflame regional grievances. The senator appeals for a re-submitted list that reflects broader geographic and state-level inclusiveness. (Sources: Daily Trust and Tribune, Dec 6, 2025.)
Tag: Senator Ali Ndume
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Senate Committee on Army Kicks Against Rehabilitation Of Repentant Terrorists in Nigeria
The Senate Committee on Army, says it disagrees with the Federal Government’s (FG) programme on deradicalising ex-Boko Haram members.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Ali Ndume, who has always maintained a divergent view on the matter, again reiterated his disagreement with the FG’s move to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members at a closed door budget defense session with the Nigerian Army on Wednesday.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume Ndume’s position which was the same as that of the committee, has always been of the opinion that deradicalizing Ex-Boko Haram Members is a misplacement of priority stressed that the Federal Government cannot be resettling and pampering former terrorists while the country is still at war.
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“I am in disagreement with the government,” Ndume buttressed.
He further noted that Boko Haram members who are apprehended can be kept as prisoners of war, adding that in due time they can be profiled and tried in accordance with the law.
Damboa attack carried out by repentant Boko Haram member
In further defense of his position on the matter, Senator Ndume claimed that the recent terrorist attack in Damboa was orchestrated by a repentant Boko Haram member.According to the lawmaker, the repentant Boko Haram member was feeding the terror group information regarding the movement of the army.
Ndume was of the opinion that it is unfair and not right to have the government lavish its resources on those who threaten the peace of the nation.
‘I Am Completely Against It!’
Early in February, Senator Ali Ndume pushed against the bill aimed at creating an agency for repentant insurgents.The Boko Haram Bill which is aimed at creating a national agency that would see to the rehabilitation, de-radicalization, and integration of repentant insurgents in the country met with stiff opposition from Ndume who believes it is a misplacement of priority.
“I personally disagree with that. The war is not over and some criminals that have been killing people you say that you are doing Operation Safe Corridor for them.
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“I am completely against that idea. They know my position on that, you can’t do that.
“It is when you win the war and some people surrender that you think about something like that,” Ndume said on the floor of the Senate where the bill was read for the first time.
He added that the idea of the bill will only make Boko Haram have more recruits since they are sure of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“You are just telling people to go and join Boko Haram and then repent and become something (sic) that’s a totally unacceptable idea and a way of solving the problem,”.Channels TV reported.
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Stop rehabilitating ex-Boko Haram fighters, train IDPs instead, Ndume tells FG
A lawmaker, representing Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has condemned the ongoing rehabilitation exercise for ex-Boko Haram fighters, alleging that the terrorists would never repent.
Ndume, instead, challenged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to train those in IDP Camps in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.
Nigerian military authorities had in 2016 launched an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-Boko Haram fighters, titled: Operation Safe Corridor.
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According to the military, the objective of the operation was to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into society.
In July, no fewer than 600 ex-Boko Haram members had completed the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme.
Dissatisfied with aim of the exercise, Ndume in an interview on BBC Hausa Service told the Buhari administration to discontinue the programme forthwith.
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He said: “The programme by the Federal Government is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it, forthwith.
“Not that they even apologised to you, they only apologised to the government with the thinking that government has failed and that is why they are being pampered.
“They are like Kharajites. Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent.
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“The government should know what to do about them. But not re-introducing someone to you, who has killed your parent, or your relations. It can be traumatic.
“If there is sincerity of purpose in government’s rehabilitation exercise, those in the IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.”
Idowu Sowunmi