Ali Ndume: The Senator once linked to Boko Haram

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume was born in Gwoza, Borno State. He rose from being a lecturer to a prominent lawmaker, and he is currently a Senator representing Borno South. He is popularly known for his active roles in Senate leadership and vocal commentary on national issues.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume is a Nigerian politician from Borno State, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and has served as the Senator representing Borno South since 2011. He is known for holding parliamentary leadership positions and his outspoken views on governance, security, and national character.

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Mohammed Ali Ndume was born on November 20, 1959, in Gwoza, Borno State, Nigeria. He grew up in a modest family, the son of Alhaji Ali Buba Ndume, a respected community leader in Gwoza. His early education began at Gadamayo Primary School, Gwoza, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1972.

The following year, he enrolled at Comprehensive Secondary School in Mubi, where he studied from 1973 to 1978. Ndume distinguished himself both academically and in leadership, serving as Junior House Captain and later as House Captain in his final year.

His pursuit of higher education led him to Kaduna Polytechnic, where he earned an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Marketing in 1980 and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1982, graduating with Upper Credit. Upon completion, he served with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, from 1982 to 1983.

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In recognition of his academic potential, Mohammed Ali Ndume received a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) postgraduate scholarship in 1988 to study at the University of Toledo, Ohio. There, he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Business and Computer Education in 1990, graduating magna cum laude and gaining membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honour Society for academic excellence.

After returning from the United States, Mohammed Ali Ndume resumed his teaching career at Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, where he had worked before his postgraduate studies. At Ramat Polytechnic, he steadily rose through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer, contributing to curriculum development and student mentorship in the fields of business and computer education.

His years in academia shaped his views on leadership, education, and youth empowerment. These values would later define his political philosophy. Ndume’s growing interest in governance and development issues in Borno eventually steered him away from academia and into active politics in 2003.

Mohammed Ali Ndume officially began his political journey in 2003 when he contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency.

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His performance earned him the trust of his constituents, leading to his re-election in 2007. That same year, with the inauguration of the Sixth Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume was unanimously elected as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. However, political disagreements within the ANPP eventually led to his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2010.

In 2011, Mohammed Ali Ndume’s political career reached a new height when he was elected as Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District. He has since retained that seat through subsequent re-elections, making him one of the longest-serving legislators from northern Nigeria.

After defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 general elections, Mohammed Ali Ndume became a key player in the Senate, aligning with the Bukola Saraki-led faction that defied party directives during the leadership contest. This alliance earned him the position of Senate Majority Leader in 2015, though he was controversially removed from the role in January 2017 following political disagreements linked to the rejection of EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Undeterred, Mohammed Ali Ndume remained active and vocal in the chamber, often challenging party orthodoxy. He contested for the position of Senate President in 2019 but lost to Senator Ahmed Lawan. In July 2023, he was appointed Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, a role he held until his removal in July 2024.

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Throughout his career, Mohammed Ali Ndume has remained an outspoken advocate on national issues, known for his independent stance and readiness to confront leadership decisions he deems unconstitutional or unjust.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume’s impact extends beyond politics into tangible development efforts across Borno South. He has facilitated numerous constituency projects, including the construction of schools, rural electrification schemes, primary health centres, water boreholes, and agricultural empowerment initiatives.

His advocacy for internally displaced persons (IDPs) during the Boko Haram insurgency earned him national recognition as one of the few northern lawmakers who consistently pushed for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected areas.

Over the years, Mohammed Ali Ndume has also contributed to debates on electoral reform, national security, and constitutional amendments, often championing causes that affect the North-East region. His courage and consistency in legislative service earned him The Sun Newspaper’s “Courage in Leadership Award” in 2024.

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Mohammed Ali Ndume is married to Justice Aisha and Hajia Maryam. He is also blessed with 10 children. He hails from a devout Muslim background and is widely regarded as a man of strong faith and discipline. Ndume maintains a relatively private family life, though he frequently references his roots and upbringing as motivation for his service.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. However, various online estimates speculate that his wealth is around US$500 million, though such figures lack credible documentation.

As a ranking senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has access to constituency project allocations. He once publicly acknowledged receiving more than ₦200 million for such projects due to his leadership position in the Senate. He owns properties and assets in Borno and Abuja, but the details of his investments and personal business interests remain private.

While he has occasionally faced public scrutiny regarding his political influence and resource control, there has been no substantiated corruption case against him.

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Over the years, Senator Ali Ndume has faced several controversies that tested his political resilience. In 2011, while serving on President Goodluck Jonathan’s committee to negotiate with Boko Haram, he was arrested by the DSS for alleged links to the insurgent group.

Ndume maintained his innocence, explaining that his contact with the group was part of his official mandate. After a lengthy legal battle, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him of all charges. Ndume also made headlines during his tenure in the 8th Senate. He was initially elected Senate Leader after defeating Senator Ahmed Lawan. Still, he was abruptly removed in 2017 amid reports of internal party politics and his remarks over the Senate’s rejection of EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu.

That same year, he was suspended for six months after calling for investigations into allegations involving Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye, a suspension later ruled illegal by the court. In 2019, Ndume contested for Senate President but lost to Ahmed Lawan, the APC’s preferred candidate.

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Despite the defeat, he pledged support for Lawan and was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army. Through the years, Mohammed Ali Ndume has remained outspoken and unafraid to challenge his party leadership, earning a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most fearless and independent-minded lawmakers.

• Removal as Chief Whip: On 17 July 2024, he was removed from the position of Senate Chief Whip and replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno.

• Criticism of government policy: He has criticized certain federal appointments for violating constitutional principles of federal character.

• Food security: He commended the declaration of national emergency on food security, urged more investment in agriculture and subsidies for farmers, etc.

• Threat of party exit: He has said he may leave APC if the current issues in governance are not addressed.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume is a long-serving legislator with a steady climb from academia into influential political office. He is best known for his leadership roles in both houses, his critical voice in governance and security issues, and his advocacy for his constituents in Borno South.

His legacy will likely be tied to his efforts toward constitutional propriety, rural development projects, and his willingness to dissent even within party lines. As with many Nigerian politicians, questions of wealth and influence shadow his public image, but he remains a figure both respected and contested in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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