Ali Ndume’s 9 Lives

Like Oyo and Ekiti, Borno is one of the few states where the ruling APC gave all the sitting senators return tickets for the 2027 elections. One of those senators, Ali Ndume, stands out in the number of times he has survived party primaries.

He has won nine National Assembly elections and has been in the legislature since 2003. Polls in 2027 would make his 10th general election.

Shehu Lawan and Tahir Monguno both won tickets to represent Borno in the Senate for a second time. Monguno served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023.

Ndume spent two terms in the House before moving to the Senate in 2011, where he has now spent four consecutive terms.

In those 24 years, the senator has engaged in skirmishes with those in power. He fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan and was charged in court.

He also clashed with the leadership of the Senate under Bukola Saraki, was suspended for six months and removed as Senate leader.

Under Godswill Akpabio, he was suspended and replaced as Chief Whip for criticism of President Bola Tinubu. Ndume has not only come out unscathed from the battles, but he also appears to have his constituency firmly on his side.