In Nigeria’s heated political landscape, accusations between opposing camps are not uncommon. Recently, a prominent figure in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media team made a bold statement concerning the legislative performance and constituency record of Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South. The claim sparked debates across media spaces, prompting further scrutiny.
CLAIM
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claimed that Senator Ali Ndume has not executed any constituency project in his 22-year legislative career.
He made the claim during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics on April 13, 2025, in response to earlier criticisms by Senator Ndume. Bwala also accused the senator of neglecting over 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Southern Borno and of failing legislatively, stating that “90% of his bills don’t reach second reading.”
FINDINGS
The FactCheck247 reviewed available reports and evidence from credible sources and found the claim to be FALSE.
Contrary to Bwala’s assertion, multiple documented reports show that Senator Ndume has facilitated various constituency projects
According to Leadership newspaper, Ndume launched an educational assistance program benefiting 1,100 students across Borno South. The initiative was aimed at easing financial pressure on families and improving access to education amid the region’s insurgency challenges.
A Blueprint report indicated that Ndume facilitated the drilling of two boreholes and the donation of two tractors per local government area in Borno South. These efforts sought to improve access to clean water and enhance agricultural productivity.
In 2020, during an ICPC probe into abandoned constituency projects, Ndume defended lawmakers from the North-East, blaming poor implementation on the responsible MDAs and the difficulty of accessing communities due to Boko Haram insurgency. He argued that lawmakers recommend projects but don’t execute or supervise them.
While Ndume has implemented some projects, he has also faced scrutiny. A report by the Mawa Foundation in 2017 cited concerns over the lack of transparency in a N22 million empowerment project, with reports of funds released but no clear record of execution in some inaccessible LGAs.
VERDICT
The claim that Senator Ali Ndume has not executed any constituency project in his 22 years in the National Assembly is FALSE.