The Federal Government has denied claims of lopsided appointments under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
It contended that all appointments are made in strict adherence to federal character principle, as enshrined in Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen.
The government explained that President Bola Tinubu, believes strongly in the unity of Nigeria and is guided by the ideals of fairness and tenets of justice in all appointments.
TheFact Daily reports that the clarification was in response to the recent insinuations circulating, particularly on social media, regarding the composition of Federal appointments.
The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume while speaking recently during a program, ‘Prime Time’ on Arise Television accused President Bola Tinubu of lopsided political appointments.
Senator Ndume mentioned that the lopsided appointments were against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, therefore, called for a change.
He quoted Section 14, subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution which states that the composition of the government and its agencies should reflect the federal character of Nigeria, promoting national unity and loyalty, and preventing any single group from dominating government or its agencies.
However, while reacting to Ndume’s claim, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said “Senator Ali Ndume’s latest outburst on TV about so-called “lopsided appointments” by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reeks of hypocrisy and selective perception.”
Onanuga said while the Borno senator grandstanded as a moral authority on equity, he forgot to tell his interviewer that two of his kinsmen featured in recent NNPC Limited top appointments.
The SA disclosed that the Chairman, appointed by President Tinubu, is from Ndume’s senatorial district.
“If Tinubu and his surrogates’ choices are so “tribal,” how did two of Ndume’s kinsmen clinch NNPC’s top roles? As a politician, Ndume has proven time and time again that he is allergic to facts and addicted to theatrics.
“His habit of firing half-baked criticisms—only to be contradicted by facts—proves he’s more interested in headline-chasing, rabble rousing, stoking divisive narratives than offering constructive criticism,” Onanuga said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government said the administration is dedicated to ensuring that all regions and demographics of the country are adequately represented in its institutions and agencies.
It urged the public to disregard unfounded speculations and rely on official Government sources for accurate information, emphasising its unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and national unity.
