Senator Ali Ndume has made a strong appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to recall the list of ambassadorial nominees currently undergoing screening in the Senate. The former Senate Leader alleges that the list's composition grossly violates the Federal Character principle, a constitutional requirement designed to ensure national unity.
A Lopsided Nomination List
President Tinubu submitted the lists containing both career and non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on Thursday, December 4. The Senate promptly referred the documents to its Committee on Foreign Affairs for the necessary vetting process.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South, raised a critical alarm. He described the distribution of nominees as "lopsided" and a clear failure to reflect Nigeria's rich diversity. This, he argued, directly contravenes Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Ndume pointed out glaring imbalances, noting that some states were allocated as many as three or four slots, while others, like Gombe State, received none at all. He further highlighted the plight of the North East geopolitical zone, which secured only seven slots in total. This number was effectively reduced to six, as Yobe State's sole nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, passed away in July.
A Constitutional Mandate Ignored
The Federal Character principle is a cornerstone of Nigeria's constitution, mandating that appointments into federal institutions must reflect the nation's diversity. The goal is to promote national cohesion and prevent the dominance of any particular state or ethnic group.
Ndume emphasized that the current list does the opposite. "At this critical time in the life of his administration, President Tinubu must avoid decisions that could fuel ethnic tension or breed distrust," the senator stated. He made a direct plea to the President: "I appeal to him to withdraw the list and present a fresh set of nominees that align with the spirit of the Constitution."
A Call for Inclusivity and National Cohesion
Describing President Tinubu as a "cosmopolitan leader," Ndume stressed that the President has a unique opportunity to strengthen national unity. He urged the administration to ensure fair representation for all states and geopolitical zones in such significant appointments.
According to Ndume, correcting this imbalance is essential for building public confidence and demonstrating the administration's genuine commitment to inclusiveness. A revised list that respects the Federal Character principle would go a long way in fostering trust and solidarity across the nation.
The ball is now in the court of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and, ultimately, President Tinubu, to address these serious concerns raised by a senior lawmaker.
