Ndume: My first wife is a high court judge — friends usually put pressure on me

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south district, says friends usually pile pressure on him to influence the decision of his first wife, who is a high court judge.

Ndume spoke during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, while reacting to remarks made by Adamu Bulkachuwa, a former senator representing Bauchi north.

During the 9th senate valedictory session on Saturday, Bulkachuwa said he sometimes influenced the decisions of Zainab Bulkachuwa, his wife and a former president of the court of appeal, while she was in office.

“Particularly, my wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while she was in office. And she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker had said.

The comment had elicited reactions from many Nigerians.

Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the former senator’s comment is sufficient ground for arrest, adding that the statement is a “monumental disgrace”.

Asked if he is bothered by Bulkachuwa’s comments, Ndume responded in the affirmative, adding that people are usually faced with dilemmas on ethical issues.

He commended the former senator for “confessing publicly”, adding that the revelation will help the system and people to “look inward”.

“It does. People are caught between what is right, moral, and social. My first wife is a high court judge,” he said.

“When people know that your wife is a judge, especially your friends, they will put pressure on you.

“We are all humans…depending on how strong you are to stand against this kind of thing. Sometimes, when the system itself is more or less compromised or can be compromised, you will be tempted.

“But I like his courage for confessing publicly even when he can decide not to. It will help the system and people to look inwards.”