Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has raised concerns over what he described as a violation of the federal character principle in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political appointments.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, the lawmaker referenced Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that the current pattern of appointments does not reflect the constitutional requirement for balanced representation across the country.
“The figures are there. I sent the data. It’s not just a baseless accusation. The constitution is very clear — political appointments must reflect the federal character. And that is not what we are seeing,” Ndume stated.
He clarified that his criticism was not a personal attack on the president but a call to uphold constitutional standards and national unity.
“All I’m saying is that the president should take a second look and make corrections where necessary. Otherwise, these imbalances could backfire at some point,” he said.
Ndume also pointed out that his role as a senator includes oversight responsibilities, adding that he would continue to speak out in the interest of fairness and justice. He expressed readiness to face any backlash for his remarks, insisting that he was only performing his duty to the Nigerian people.
“It’s not about me being critical. I have a constitutional right to speak. I swore to protect that constitution. Nigerians deserve fairness and balance in representation,” he added.
