Senator Ali Ndume has issued a strong appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate withdrawal of the recently submitted list of ambassadorial nominees. The lawmaker argues that the list violates constitutional principles and could destabilize national unity.
Constitutional Breach and Regional Imbalance
In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Senator representing Borno South and former Senate Leader faulted the composition of the list. He stated that the nomination of 65 ambassadorial candidates fails to adhere to the federal character principle as required by the constitution.
Ndume highlighted a glaring imbalance in the allocation of slots across states and geopolitical zones. He pointed out that while some states secured three or four nominations, others, like Gombe State, have none. He also noted the tragic case of Yobe State's sole nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, who passed away in July 2025, effectively leaving the state without representation.
A Breakdown of the Controversial List
The senator provided a detailed regional analysis of the list, revealing significant disparities. According to his findings, the South-West geopolitical zone leads with 15 nominees. The North-West and South-South follow with 13 and 12 nominees respectively.
The North-Central region has 10 nominees, while the South-East has 9. Most concerning, according to Ndume, is the paltry allocation to the North-East, which received only seven slots in total despite having six states.
"At this critical time in the life of his administration, President Tinubu must avoid decisions that could fuel ethnic tension or breed distrust," Ndume cautioned. "I appeal to him to withdraw the list and present a fresh set of nominees that align with the spirit of the Constitution."
Implications for Senate Screening and National Cohesion
The call for withdrawal comes just ahead of the Senate screening scheduled for the following week. The list was originally conveyed to the Senate in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Ndume, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), framed his objection as a matter of national interest and constitutional fidelity, rather than partisan politics. He warned that proceeding with the list in its current form could undermine the president's efforts to promote inclusivity and trust across the federation.
This development adds a new layer of scrutiny to President Tinubu's diplomatic appointments, which have previously included high-profile names such as Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode. The Senate now faces a potential constitutional dilemma as it prepares to commence the confirmation process.
