Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw the ambassadorial list now with the Senate. He says the list does not follow the Federal Character rule in the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate received the career and non-career ambassadorial nominees on Thursday and sent them to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening. Ndume, who represents Borno South, told reporters on Saturday that the way nominees were spread across states is “lopsided.”
He said some states have three or four nominees while others have none. He noted that Gombe State has no nominee and that Yobe’s sole nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, died in July. Ndume added that the North East only received seven slots and that some zones look left out when the list is broken down by geo-political areas.
Ndume argued this goes against the rule that federal appointments should reflect the country’s diversity so no state or group dominates. He warned that at a sensitive time for the government such a move could harm trust and peace.
“At this critical time in the life of his administration, President Tinubu must avoid decisions that could fuel ethnic tension or breed distrust.
“I appeal to him to withdraw the list and present a fresh set of nominees that align with the spirit of the Constitution,” he said
He also said the President, whom he described as a “cosmopolitan leader,” should make sure all states and zones get fair picks. Ndume said fair distribution will help national unity and show the administration is committed to inclusion.
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