The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinbu’s federal appointments which they said is in favour of the South west. The decision to favour one section of the country against others, NEF said contravenes both the spirit of the Constitution and federal Character principle.
The Forum has also slammed the president for the recent constitution of the National Census Committee, NCC which they also claimed favoured the south west. With the way the Committee is constituted, the NEF said any Census conducted by it will be rejected.
According to the NEF, the only way to give credibility to the committee is for the president to rejig its membership reflect the diversity of the country.
The NEF made its position known in a statement signed on Friday by its spokesman, Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, who accused President Tinubu of violating Chapter 2, section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He decsribed Persident Tinubu’s appointments so far as a “clear affront to democratic values such as fairness, inclusiveness, justice, and balanced representation,” adding that his action “threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity.”
“The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and to promote national unity, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”
The president’s appointment “is not only grossly lopsided in favour of the South-West but also appears to be systematically designed to exclude other key regions,” NEF said.
Part of the statement: “This exclusionary approach is a clear affront to democratic values such as fairness, inclusiveness, justice, and balanced representation.
“The conduct of a national census is a critical and sensitive matter, one that must enjoy the confidence and participation of all geopolitical zones. Any attempt to marginalise or suppress the interests of other regions risks undermining the legitimacy, accuracy, and national acceptance of the census outcome.
“Consequently, NEF demands the following: The immediate reconstitution of the National Census Committee to ensure equal representation of all six geopolitical zones in line with the federal character principle.
“A holistic review and equitable redistribution of all federal appointments in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect true national diversity and constitutional compliance.
“The NEF warns that continued disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and inclusivity threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity. The sustained marginalisation of certain regions breeds resentment, deepens divisions, and could fuel avoidable instability in the country.
“Nigeria is a diverse nation bound by a common destiny. Preserving its unity requires leadership that is fair, inclusive, and guided by the rule of law.” NEF said.
The Presidency, the magazine reported had recently responded to the allegation of nepotism saying President Tinubu has been fair to all sections of the country, noting that those appointed into government were chosen based on merit.
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