APC caucus removes Ndume as senate leader

The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the senate has removed Ali Ndume as the leader of the upper legislative chamber.

In a letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki, the caucus appointed Ahmed Lawan, a senator from Yobe north, as its new leader.

But speaking with journalists at the national assembly complex, Ndume said he was unaware of his removal.

A source told TheCable that the senate president had no hand in Ndume’s removal, but that he would abide by the decision of the caucus.

Ndume has had several spats with his colleagues – especially when they take decisions that are not favourable to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In December 2016, when the senate rejected the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ndume, after meeting with Buhari, said the senate did not reject the appointment of the anti-graft agency’s boss.

The senate later issued a statement reaffirming its position rejecting Magu’s appointment.