Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly of Nigeria, has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s submission of 65 ambassadorial nominees, describing the list as inconsistent with the constitutional Federal Character Principle. The principle, enshrined in Section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is designed to ensure fair representation of all states and geopolitical zones in appointments to the Federal Government.
In a statement issued from Abuja on Saturday, Ndume, a former Senate Leader and Chief Whip, said, “The entire North-East state has seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has fifteen nominees, while North-West and South-East have thirteen and nine, respectively. North-Central region has ten nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominees, while South-South parades twelve nominees.”
The senator also raised concern over the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe State, who reportedly passed away in July, calling into question the accuracy of the administration’s submission.
Ndume warned that passing the current list could exacerbate ethnic tensions and erode national unity at a critical juncture for President Tinubu’s administration. “My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust. I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” he stated.
Okay News reports that the Senate is scheduled to commence screening the nominees next week following their formal submission by President Tinubu last Thursday. The list comprises thirty-four career ambassadors and high commissioners alongside thirty-one non-career nominees, including several high-profile political and military figures.
Among the career diplomats listed are Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno from Borno State, and Maimuna Ibrahim from Adamawa State. The non-career nominees include former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, ex-presidential aide and former senator Ita Enang, and retired Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau from Kano State. Prominent personalities such as former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim are also listed.
Senate insiders have suggested that the upcoming screening could involve more probing questions than usual, particularly for nominees with significant political backgrounds. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with a one-week deadline to report back. “The committee is to report back to us in one week,” he said.
