Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has retracted his earlier criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over alleged regional imbalance in federal appointments.
The lawmaker now says the president has shown a commitment to fairness and inclusivity, particularly toward northern Nigeria.
In a statement personally signed and released on Saturday, Ndume applauded President Tinubu for what he described as a “significant move” toward inclusive governance. He pointed to the recent appointments of key officials from all three geopolitical zones of the North as evidence that the president is listening and responding to concerns of marginalization.
“President Tinubu is someone who surrenders to constructive criticisms,” Ndume stated. “I have known him to be a fair-minded, cosmopolitan person. Yes, we are all bound to make mistakes. No one is infallible.”
The lawmaker was reacting to the latest round of federal appointments made on Friday, which included about 12 individuals from the North assigned to strategic national positions. Notable among them were Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC); Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) as Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); and Comrade Isa Aremu (Kwara) as Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS).
Other appointments included Alhaji Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) as Executive Director, Operations at NAIC; Barrister Sama’ila Audu (Katsina), Executive Director, Administration at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); and Professor Musa Garba Mai Tafsiri (Kebbi), Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education.
Ndume had earlier in the year accused the government of lopsidedness in the distribution of federal appointments. He cited Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution to support his claim that the perceived imbalance violated the federal character principle and could provoke political unrest.
“The hallmark of a good leader and statesman is to quickly adjust himself when he takes a decision or makes a policy pronouncement that a large section of the people finds unpopular and uncomfortable with,” Ndume said while reversing his stance. “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has demonstrated several times that he is a responsive leader.”
He added that his earlier critique was never personal but rooted in his responsibility to advocate for equitable representation.
“I have nothing personal against President Tinubu or his government,” he added. “I remain hopeful that he will continue to listen and respond to the aspirations of all Nigerians.
