Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South at the National Assembly, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his alleged lopsided political appointment, saying it violated the constitutional provision for federal character.
The Senator, speaking on Arise TV, alleged that Bola Tinubu’s appointments are mainly favouring people from the south-south zone of the country where he hails. He insisted that it does not reflect the diversity mandated by section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution.
Ndume acknowledged that the president has the power to defy that constitutional provision and make appointments as it pleases him; however, he urged him to take drastic steps in ensuring holistic inclusivity in his government.
“The figures are there. It’s not that I’m just making accusations or that the president has no right to do that kind of thing. But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear on that. When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, there are political appointments. And it is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments, should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here”, he stated.
The senator registered a disclaimer for people that would perceive his comments as an attack to the president, insisting that he needed to draw the attention of the president to the issue; hence it is already becoming a national concern; adding that if the “infractions” is not addressed timely, it might boomerang at certain period.
“I know, as you rightly say, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. And in fact, that’s why I’m in the national assembly in the first place”.
“Collectively, we are supposed to oversight the acts of Mr President and point out some of these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal”, the senator said.
