Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s latest appointments to the boards of key federal agencies, describing them as a positive move toward addressing concerns in the northern region. However, the senator representing Borno South urged the president to ensure greater representation for the South-East in future appointments to foster national unity.
The newly announced appointees include Muhammad Babangida, son of former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture. Other notable appointments feature Lydia Kalat Musa as Chairperson of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Jamilu Wada Aliyu as Chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council, and Yahuza Ado Inuwa as head of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
Additional appointments include Sanusi Musa as Chairman of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Al-Mustapha Aliyu as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, and Tomi Somefun as Director-General of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission.
A review of the appointments reveals a regional spread, with Niger, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara states represented in the North, while Oyo State in the South-West secured one position. However, the South-East was notably absent from the list, prompting Ndume’s appeal for better inclusivity.
Ndume praised Tinubu for addressing northern concerns through these appointments, recalling last May’s allocation of 12 key agency roles to northerners. “These appointments demonstrate the president’s responsiveness to regional agitations,” Ndume stated. “They confirm that he values the support of the North and is committed to fair leadership.”
Nevertheless, the senator expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the South-East, calling it a significant oversight that contradicts the Federal Character Principle in the 1999 Constitution. “The perception that the South-East is being sidelined must not persist,” he emphasized. “Every region deserves fair representation in a united Nigeria. We hope future appointments will reflect broader inclusiveness.”
The Presidency has not yet responded to Ndume’s remarks, but the issue is expected to fuel further debate on equitable representation in Tinubu’s administration.
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