Boko Haram: The Ndume saga and the National Assembly

By Sola Shittu

The news of the arrest of Senator Ali Ndume in connection with the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group was a very disturbing one not only to the senate but the entire National Assembly. Ndume was the minority leader of the House of Representative under the ANPP in the 6th Assembly whose notable role in stabilizing that riotous Assembly was very significant before shifting camp to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) towards the end of the 6th Assembly life span to obtain his senatorial ticket for Borno South Senatorial District. Since then the quintessential Ndume became silent in the House even in the face of intimidation and funny harassment from colleagues he had to remain silent. Since then it was like the voice of opposition in the hallowed green chamber has died down even though minority leadership position was immediately taken over by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (ACNagos) but it was a different thing entirely. So on Monday when the name of Ndume was mentioned by the former spokesman of Boko Haram Ali Sanda Umar Konduga as one of the sponsors of the group it was a rude shock to the entire National Assembly. As soon as the senate resumed on Tuesday it immediately went into executive session to discuss the burning issue of Ndume and other pressing national matters. The arrest raised serious questions on the integrity of the National Assembly therefore the senate has to take a decision on whether to stand by one of them who is facing trial for sponsoring terrorism in the spirit of  es spirit de corps or live him to his fate. It is a delicate matter that has attracted international attention and indeed the senate or anyone making comment on this matter have to be very careful. The Boko Haram activities have put Maiduguri and indeed the entire country in the global map of terrorism. But be that as it may, the senate decided to allow the law to take its full course while at the same time standing by its member who is presumed innocent until proving guilty in the court of law. Fortunately Ndume himself has pleaded not guilty to the charges but the question is what is likely to be the implication of a senator of the federal republic being caught in the web of terrorism. First, it is going to create a serious stigma in the image of the entire National Assembly which the two chambers may find difficult to cope with. Secondly, it may reduce the integrity and the high level of respect Nigerians have for the National Assembly especially the senate. But there is also the pertinent question on whether Ndume can come out of this unscathed if he does what is likely to be the impact on the security system of the country? Some are also raising question on the political implication on the ruling government. While the sympathizers of Ndume are pointing fingers at political persecution, could this be true? If so then who is after Ndume and why would Ndume a quintessential lawmaker who has had a glorious carrier as a federal lawmaker be involved in the act of terrorism? What would be his motive? What did he intend to achieve and how many other federal lawmakers and notable dignitaries are still out there enjoying their freedom while silently sponsoring the killings of innocent souls? How many more will be arrested on this matter? There are indeed so many questions begging for answer on the arrest of Ndume because he is too gentlemanly looking to be involved in this kind of acts. On political persecution, the National Assembly is already awashed with the insinuation that Ndume’s political opponents may have a hand in his predicament. Ndume had a rough run with his former party, All Nigeria People party, (ANPP) before coming to the senate. He sought the senatorial ticket from ANPP but was denied. Determined to pursue his ambition, Ndume pressed for the same ticket at the PDP and it was immediately given to him. The PDP was not oblivious of the rising profile of Ndume as the Minority Leader of the 6th Assembly and the threat he posed on several occasions to the ruling party in the National Assembly with his intellectual contributions and critical position to the ruling party’s government policies. And so while the ANPP was battling him on the senatorial ticket the PDP was busy dangling the carrot before him and the pressure from his supporters was too much for Ndume to ignore. There is no doubt that Ndume is well loved and admired by many in the National Assembly having passed through the two chambers in a stretch of eight years making impact along the way but now our dear friend is in his trying period and perhaps that is one reason why the senate choose to stand by him, at least for now, until proven guilty by the court of law. No one know where this swinging pendulum will swing to any moment but the gravity of the situation is enormous to all because terrorism is an international phenomenon especially when one remembers the attendant death toll that followed each bombing carried out from October 1st 2010 when Nigeria marked her 50th birthday. After Ndume scaled through the election to defeat the ANPP candidate Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir and clinch the senate seat in the last April election he became serious threat to the ANPP in Borno State. Besides, Ndume is part of the PDP team challenging the governorship election in Borno. Few days to his arrest, Ndume led a group of PDP chieftains in Borno including former Governor Mohammed Goni to address a press conference on the state of the suite before the election tribunal in the state. At this juncture, it will be an understatement to ask the State security Service (SSS) to do a thorough job on this matter because all eyes are them now and every Nigerian want to see where this matter will surely end because it is a known fact that politics is behind the Boko Haram insurgence in Maiduguri and it may have to be address politically as we anxiously await more arrest promised by the SSS on this matter. And yet as one sat writing this column the memory of the October first, force headquarters, Un Building, Abacha barrack, Zuba, Sule and the most resent Yobe blasts flashed through my mind. The charred remains of human body, a lump of human flesh thrown on the main street, blood mingled with fire at every scene of blasts flashed through my mind causing a slight cold and wave of electric shock all over my body. The truth of the matter is that honestly this matter is better left to the security agencies as one joins other Nigerians to watch this unfolding drama loaded with lots of suspense and pray for our dear country.

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