TheCable

Ali Ndume, suspended senator representing Borno south, has ruled out apologising in order to merit a recall.

After an interactive session with his constituents on Sunday, he told reporters that there was no basis to ask him to apologise since he did nothing to warrant a suspension.

Ndume was handed six months suspension on March 29 for “deliberately” bringing up an issue that painted the red chamber in bad light.

The senator brought up the alleged purchase of an exotic car for senate president Bukola Saraki with forged customs papers and the certificate scandal involving Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

Following his suspension, Melaye urged Ndume to apologise to the senate to reduce or reverse his punishment.

But Ndume says it is not an option.

“The move for apology was made but I did not do any thing to warrant an apology. I have no problem with apology but you have to apologise for something you did,” he said.

“The issues I raised were put to rest after I raised them. The issue of importation of car was put to rest. The certificate issue was also put to rest. It was because I raised the issues. Perhaps if I did not raise them, the issues may have lingered.

“I did not do any thing so there is no basis for me to tender any apology.”

Ndume also said that the resolution to investigate the issues was not his but a senate resolution.

“The whole thing will come and go. It will pass away. It is part of the challenge a politician go through,” he said.

“My challenge in the senate now is temporary. It should not stop me from doing what I have been doing for my constituents. It is very temporary.

“I take my suspension in good faith. It will pass away. I am lucky to be in the Senate. Right now I am going through industrial attachment because one day I will leave the Senate. I don’t expect to die in the Senate,” he said.