Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address concerns over the apparent imbalance in appointments made so far under his administration.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television aired Friday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker raised alarm over what he described as a breach of Nigeria’s Federal Character principle a constitutional provision requiring equitable representation of all regions and ethnic groups in public appointments.
Ndume pointedly accused the President of disproportionately favouring a particular ethnic group in key appointments, which, he argued, runs contrary to the spirit of national unity.
“Out of 72 top-level appointments made so far, the majority are from one ethnic group, the Yoruba,” Ndume said. “I’m not even talking about a regional North-South divide here. The Constitution, under Section 14(3), clearly stipulates that public appointments should reflect national diversity so that no group feels excluded.”
While acknowledging that the perceived imbalance may not be deliberate, the senator said it was important for President Tinubu to be made aware of the implications. He described his concerns as a necessary “wake-up call” to avert further political alienation and regional distrust.
Drawing Parallels with Buhari’s Administration
Ndume recalled that he had raised similar concerns during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, especially regarding the concentration of security leadership positions among individuals from a particular region.
“I confronted Buhari over the lopsided appointments of service chiefs, and he gave me his reasons. I’m hoping President Tinubu will also take this matter seriously and make adjustments,” he said.
Growing Discontent Within the APC
Beyond appointments, the senator also expressed deep concern about growing dissatisfaction within the APC itself. He warned that many party members, including those who toiled during the election campaigns, now feel sidelined and ignored by the current administration.
“Every single vote counts. The APC must not take its support base for granted. Right now, there are party members who feel they have no access to the President and are being unfairly excluded from the governance process,” he explained.
Ndume backed earlier comments made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who also raised alarms about internal discontent in the party. According to the senator, rather than address the grievances, the Presidency appears to be taking a combative stance by publicly attacking dissenting voices a move he described as “very dangerous.”
He warned that failing to address these internal issues could result in more significant fractures within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Call for Unity and Inclusivity
Senator Ndume concluded by calling on President Tinubu and the APC leadership to revisit the principles of inclusion and federal character upon which the party was built.
“National unity must remain at the core of our democratic governance. A country as diverse as Nigeria cannot afford to alienate any group. The President must act now, not just for the sake of the party, but for the stability and unity of the entire nation,” he said.
