Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has addressed accusations of ignorance, defending his stance on President Tinubu's tax reform bills. He clarified that his years of teaching experience and education in Nigeria and the U.S. contradict claims that his attire and background make him unqualified to speak on the matter.
Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has responded to accusations of ignorance, asserting that his critics are misguided. Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ndume defended his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, which he recently opposed in the Senate. He explained that despite his educational background, including years of teaching at a polytechnic and studying both in Nigeria and the United States, some people still label him ignorant because of his attire and background.
Ndume, who is 65, pointed out that his choice to wear Agbada, a traditional attire, and his roots in Borno State are often used by his detractors to question his intellect. He also revealed that two of his daughters are married to Yoruba men, further emphasizing his openness to diverse cultures.
The lawmaker’s comments came after a heated debate in the Senate on Thursday over the timing of the tax reform bills. Ndume criticized the introduction of such bills amidst a public perception that the current administration is struggling. He argued that the timing was inappropriate and that the government should reconsider the proposal given the prevailing economic and political climate. The tension surrounding the bills escalated into a shouting match among lawmakers on the Senate floor, highlighting the contentious nature of the reforms.
