The efforts made by the Presidency to justify the allegedly unbalanced appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have proven counterproductive.
The Special Advisor to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has published a list detailing the appointees selected thus far by President Tinubu across the nation’s six geopolitical regions.
The development occurred shortly after Senator Ali Ndume from the North-East geopolitical zone alleged that the president had breached legal protocols with his recent appointments.
However, shortly after the list was published, the president’s spokesperson had to step back, issuing an apology for mistakes present in the document.
Recently, the appointments made by President Tinubu have faced examination, as some Nigerians claim they appear unbalanced.
Ali Ndume's criticism
Senator Ali Ndume from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who represents Borno-South, criticized the president during a TV interview for allegedly disregarding the federal character principle in his appointment decisions.
Ndume stated that he chose to bring the president's notice to his 'imbalanced selections,' which he argued were also inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He did this because, as a legislator, he believed he had the authority to criticize the president, despite both being members of the same political party.
Ndume asserts that Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution requires political appointments to demonstrate the nation's diversity.
He went on to state that 'The data is available. You can review the data. I forwarded you some. I sent over the statistics. This isn’t me merely leveling allegations. Also, I’m not suggesting that the president doesn't have the authority to take such actions.'
"But it's a constitutional clause. Specifically, Section 13, or more precisely Section 14(3), of the constitution is quite explicit," he maintained.
The senator stated that the present appointments are not consistent with the federal character principle as stipulated by legislation.
When you compare this with the appointments that have been made so far, which include some political appointees, the constitution is quite explicit.
This avoidance of violations is why the constitution explicitly mandates that appointments, particularly those with political implications, must embody the federal character. This requirement is not being met in this instance.
"And all I'm suggesting is bringing these violations to the president's notice so they can be addressed; otherwise, as we know, these issues could potentially backfire at some point," Ndume stated.
Presidency retracts list
In an attempt to refute Senator Ndume's assertion, Sunday Dare published a list detailing President Tinubu's appointments from each geopolitical region.
The list showed that since assumption of office, President Tinubu had appointed 35 persons into offices from the North-West, 29 people from the South-West, his own region, 25 from North-Central, 24 from the North- East, 22 from the South-South and 16 from the South-East.
Notably absent from the list was the name of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. This omission sparked further discussion, prompting Mr. Dare to apologize via his X account for the mistakes.
He stated: "A series of mistakes has been identified within the list of appointments shared via Twitter. Apologies for this oversight. An revised version will be published subsequently. Thanks for your understanding."
Nigerians anticipate an open breakdown of appointments based on ethnicity - Bello
In addition, a public affairs analyst, Hon Ayuba Mohammed Bello, commented on the matter by writing that Nigerians anticipate from the Presidency "an equitable and open examination of the ethnicity behind appointments within President Tinubu's administration, particularly as the Yoruba community was explicitly referenced."
He stated that what the Presidency released was a regional distribution, "a strategy that sidesteps the genuine issue raised by Senator Ndume, which revolves around ethnic domination rather than merely regional representation."
He stated that the worry for Nigerians isn’t centered around a ‘North versus South’ debate. Instead, it’s focused on the rising prominence of Yoruba individuals in federal positions—spanning beyond just the Southwest region into other geopolitical areas such as the North-Central and even extending to parts of the Northeast.
What Senator Ndume is stating is straightforward—he highlights ethnic clustering, and attempts to downplay his point by characterizing it as regional are both evasive and dishonest.
As he puts it, when people use the term "Yoruba-dominated," they mean those who are genuinely Yoruba by ethnicity and language, regardless of their location—be it in the North-Central region (such as Kwara, Kogi, Niger) or Northeastern areas, or even outside the country. The emphasis isn’t solely on one’s place of residence but rather on identity and what this signifies concerning fair distribution in national representation.
For instance, the North is a culturally varied area, and categorizing all individuals simply as 'Northeast' or 'Northwest' without specifying their ethnicities such as Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Nupe, Gwari, Jukun, among others, can be deceptive. He clarified this by saying it serves as a handy distraction from recognizing the disparity highlighted by Senator Ndume.
The list issued by the Presidency prior to being revoked
South-west:
Bosun Tijani, who serves as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy,
Wale Edun, who serves as the Minister of Finance and also holds the position of Coordinating Minister of the Economy
Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Internal Affairs
Bashorun Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power
Dele Alake, the Minister responsible for Solid Mineral Development
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment
Adegboyega Oyetiola, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Ocean Economics
Olayemi Cardoso, CBN Governor
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Head of the Army Staff
Kayode Egbetokun, the Commissioner of Police
Zaccheus Adedeji, Chairman, FIRS
Adeola Ajayi, Head of the Department of State Security Services (DSS)
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs
Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Railway Corporation
Oluwasegun Faleye, who serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund,
Vincent Olatunji, (NSITF)
Raji Kazeem Kolawole, the MD/CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT),
Bayo Onanuga, the Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI),
Sunday Dare, Advisor for Information and Strategic Communications
Tope Kolade Fasua, Advisor for Public Communication Strategies
Peju Adedajo, Advisor to the President for Economic Affairs (Office of the Vice President)
Temitola Asekunle-Johnson, Senior Special Advisor to the President for Investments and Privatization (VP’s Office)
Temitope Mariam, Senior Special Adviser to the President for Employment Generation and Supportive Measures for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (VP’s Office)
Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Advisor to the President for Regional Development Programs
Moremi Ojudu, Lead Specialist on Community Engagement
Tope Ajayi, SSA, Media and Communications
According to Dada, Special Assistant for Social Media
Demola Oshodi, SSA, Protocol
North-central:
Shuaibu Audu
Minister of Steel Development
2.Muhammed Idris
Minister of Information
Zaphanian Jisalo
Minister of Special Duties
Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Justice
Joseph Utsev
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Nentawe Yilwatde
Minister for Humanitarian Issues and Alleviation of Poverty
Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim
State Minister for Police Affairs
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
State Minister for Agriculture and Food Security
Bashir Bayo Ojulari
GMD, NNPC Limited
Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed
Director General, National Intelligence Service
Dr. Idris A. Sulaimon
Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi
Chief Commander, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps
Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu
Chief Officer of the Federal Fire Service
Kemi Nandap
Director General of the Nigerian Immigration Service
Haruna Y. Usman
Chairperson, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority
Shuaibu Bawa Jaja serves as the Managing Director of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.
Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso
Chairperson, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
Engr. Ninga Terese
Director General, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
Abiodun Essiet, SSAP on Community Involvement
Gimba Kakanda,
Senior Specialist Advisor for Research and Analytics to the Vice President (President’s Office)
Isaq Ahmed Ningi,
Senior Special Advisor to the President for Digital Media and Crisis Response
Mr. Aliyu Audu,
Assistant to the Special Advisor for Public Relations at the White House
Sen. Ibrahim Oloriege
Chairman, NHIA
Tunde Ajibulu,
Assistant Chief Operating Officer (Services), UBEC
Sunday Sylva Togo Echono,
Executive Secretary, TETFUND
North-east:
Abubakar Kyari
Secretary of Agriculture and Food Security
Idi Mukhtar Maiha
Minister of Livestock Development
Sa'idu Alkali
Minister of Tranportation
Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Muhammad Ali Pate
Minister for Health and Social Welfare Coordination
Ibrahim Gaidam
Minister of Police Affairs
Uba Maigari Ahmadu
State Minister for Regional Development
Ahmadu Musa Kida
NNPCL Non-executive Chairman.
Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser
Mohammed Buba Marwa is the Chairperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Hajiya Hafsat Bakari
Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit
Prof. Abdu Dauda
Chairman of the Chad Basin Development Authority
Tijjani Musa Tumsa
Director General, Chad Basin Development Authority
Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko
Chairperson, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
15) Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba
SSAP on Community Engagement
16) Dr. Bala Mohammed
Deputy Governor, CBN
17) Aliyu Modibbo Umar
Special Advisor (SA) with Responsibilities for General Tasks
18) Sadiq Wanna
Special Adviser (SAD), to the President on Power Infrastructure
19)Usman Muhammad
SSA to the President Regarding Management and Workspace Arrangements
20)Nasir Yammama
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Innovation, office of the VP.
21) Bashir Maidugu
Assistant Chief of Staff for Legal Affairs (Senior Special Advisor to the President)
22) Dr Daniel Bwala
Special Advisor for Media and Policy Communication
23)Mr. Francis Adah Abah
Assistant to the President for Specific Tasks
24)Mumuni Dagazau
Vice President of Post-Production Operations
South - South
1) Festus Keyamo, Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Growth
2) Ekperipe Ekpo, Minister of State for Gas Resources
3) Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources
4) John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment
5) Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
6) Abubakar Momoh, the Minister for Regional Development
7) Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Head of Naval Operations
8) Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Head of Defense Intelligence
9) Emomotimi Agama, the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
10) Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho, the Managing Director of the Cross River Basin Development Authority,
11) Senator Magnus Abe, Chairperson, National Agency for the Great Green Wall
12) Chief (Barr.) Ebikemi Boi Bosin, Chairperson, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
13) Hon. Amgbare Ebitimi, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
14) Mr. Saleh Abubakar, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW)
15) Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
16) Present Johnbull with an SSAP regarding Community Engagement
17) Emem Nnana Usoro, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
18) O'tega Ogra from SSA, specializing in Digital/New Media for the President
Ms. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe, SSA, Expert in Strategic Communications
20) Rowland Ewubare, Group Chief Operating Officer at NNPCL
21) Nosa Asemota, Special Advisor for Visual Communications to the President
22) Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, who serves as the Project Coordinator for HYPREP,
South East
1) Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka, the Minister of State for Finance
2) Bianca Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
3) Nkeiru Onyejiocha, Minister of State for Labor
4) Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works
Dr. Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Science and Technology
6) Uzoma Nwagba, MD, from Credicorp
7) Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, Managing Director of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority
8) Adesua Dozie serves as the Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer at NNPCL
9) Hon. Mark Okoye, M.D./C.E.O., South-East Development Commission (SEDC)
10) Philip Ikeazor, the Deputy Governor overseeing Financial System Stability at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
11) Sophia Mbakwe, who serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Services at NNPCL
12) Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu, Special Advisor for Industry, Trade, and Investment
13) Chioma Nweze, SSAP on Engaging with the Community
14) Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha, Special Assistant to the President for Media and Communication (Office of the Vice-President)
15) Kingsley Uzoma, Special Assistant to the President for Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (Office of the Vice President)
16) Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo, Special Assistant to the President for Public Engagement
North-West
1) Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Defense Minister
2) Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy
3) Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development
4) Bello Goronyo, the State Minister for Water Resources
5) Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the State Minister for Education
6) Bello Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense
7) Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
8) General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Head of National Defence Forces
9) Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Head of the Air Force
10) Haliru Nababa, the Chief Controller of Nigeria's Correctional Service
11) Shehu Usman Mohammed, the Head of the Federal Road Safety Commission
12) Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
13) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),
14) Brig Gen YD Ahmed, who serves as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corp
15) Muhammad Buba Marwa, Chairperson, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
16) Abdullahi U Ganduje, Chairperson, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
17) HE Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairperson, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
18) Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related_Offences_Commission
19) Nasiru Gawuna, Chairperson, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
20) Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairperson, National Inland Waterways Authority
H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairperson, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
Chairman H.E Aminu Bello Masari, Head of TETFUND
Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairperson, Federal Medical Centre, Yola
24) Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairperson, Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu
25) Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairperson, Raw Materials Research and Development Council
26) Ambassador Abubakar Sheku Wurno, Chairperson, Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority
27) Major General Jubril Abdulmalik, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prison Services Board
28) Dr Mohammed Aminu, who serves as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB,
29) Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai, SSAP regarding Community Involvement
30) Sani Dattijo, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
31) Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser to President on NEC and Climate Change (Office of the VP)
32) Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Special Advisor (SA), for Political Affairs (VP Office)
Muhammad Bulama serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and Special Duties within the office of the Vice President.
34) Zainab Yunusa, Senior Special Advisor to the President for NEC (Office of the Vice President)
35) Abdulaziz Abdulaziz,Senior Advisor to the President for Printed Press Matters
36) Ibrahim Masari, Politics of SSA
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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