Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has refuted claims labeling him an ethnic bigot following his opposition to the federal government’s plans to relocate certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the headquarters of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Senator Ndume dismissed assertions of ethnic bias and clarified that his stance on the relocation remains unchanged despite criticisms.
Rejecting insinuations about harboring animosity towards the Yoruba ethnic group, Senator Ndume highlighted personal connections to the group, revealing that two of his daughters are married to Yoruba men and have children.
“My two daughters are married to Yoruba men…I’ve five grandchildren who are Yoruba. How can I hate them and allow my daughters to marry them? Those saying I hate the Yorubas, how many of their sons and daughters are married to Hausas or Northerners? I’m a true Nigerian,” Senator Ndume asserted.
He further clarified that his daughter working at the CBN is a qualified Nigerian entitled to employment in any government agency, dismissing criticisms surrounding her position.
Senator Ndume reiterated his commitment to speaking what he believes to be the truth in the interest of Nigerians and expressed unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, whom he regards highly.
“My job as a senator is to continue to speak the truth and point out areas where corrections are needed. It is not personal at all,” he emphasized.
He urged detractors to focus on addressing pressing national issues such as inflation and exchange rate stability rather than targeting him for his dissenting opinions.
