Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his imbalanced
political and federal appointments, claiming that Tinubu has favoured one ethnic group over another in violation of
the Federal Character rules.
When he read the endless and sectional list of federal political appointees that went viral on social media or in public,
Ndume said he was shocked.
He described the situation as non-inclusive and not reflecting the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which calls for
the President to take an oath of office and allegiance that would carry everyone along while carrying out his duties as president.
Yesterday, Ndume made this statement on Arise News (Prime Time), which our correspondent watched.
As a senator, he made the point that, in his opinion, President Tinubu’s nominations to date had breached federal
character and ought to be changed.
The senator, who belongs to the ruling APC, has always been outspoken and critical, particularly of certain
government initiatives and policies that are purportedly unpopular with the Nigerian people and voters.
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Ndume stated, “Well, I don’t think I have anything to add, because the figures are there; you can look at it; I sent you
all,” in response to a question about the list of political appointees by Mr. President that is in circulation and favours one ethnic group.
“I’m not accusing Mr. President or implying that he lacks the authority to appoint people, but Section 14/3 of the
Constitution makes it abundantly evident. When compared to the appointments that have already been made, they are political appointments.
“If appointments that are professional, so to say, like you can’t appoint someone who is not a soldier to become Chief
of Army Staff, or you can’t appoint someone who is not a police officer to become the Inspector General of Police, IGP,
but then, when you come to look at political appointments, the Constitution, as I said earlier, is very clear, and it is
because to avoid such infractions that the constitution of Section 14/3 states that political appointments should
reflect the Federal Character… which is not the case here.
“All I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that they can be corrected; otherwise,
this thing can boomerang at a certain period of time. Just like you said, people look at me as somebody that is critical
of the government, but I have the right to do that because that is why I am elected as a legislator at the National Assembly in the first place.
“Collectively, we are supposed to oversee the acts of Mr President and point out some of the irregularities. This is
what we swore to do. It is not personal, because if you count five people in the North that have a personal relationship
with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I (Ndume) am one of them. But that does not stop me from saying the truth,
because I have the obligation to do that in the interest of all Nigerians.
“As a Nigerian and a lawmaker, I have the right to voice this out, but Tinubu’s attack dogs will attack me, not the
message. It is not personal, as I said, especially now that everybody will stand before God Almighty and account for
his/her own stewardship as leaders. It is unfortunate that after this interaction, these so-called Tinubu Boys or people
will start attacking Ndume, saying he is a very frustrating person,” Ndume said.
