How Tinubu Allegedly Breached North-West Development Commission Act in Board Appointments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing criticism for allegedly breaching provisions of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) Act with his recent appointments to the commission’s governing board. The commission, established to promote development in the North-West region, has its guidelines detailed in the Act, which stakeholders claim were not fully adhered to.

The NWDC Act, signed into law by Tinubu on July 24, 2024, after being passed by the Senate, was designed to address the infrastructural and economic challenges facing the North-West region, which has been severely impacted by banditry and terrorism. The bill, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin (APC, Kano North), sought to accelerate the region’s development through a well-structured leadership.

However, concerns have been raised about the appointments made by Tinubu, with claims that key provisions of the Act were overlooked, particularly in the selection of the managing director (MD) and other representatives to the commission’s board.

Managing Director Appointment Sparks Controversy

One of the main points of contention is the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji from Kano State as the commission’s MD. According to Part 12(1) of the NWDC Act, the MD position is supposed to rotate among the member states in alphabetical order. Based on this provision, the first managing director should have come from Jigawa State. The appointment of Ma’aji from Kano State is seen as a breach of this stipulation, which was intended to ensure fair representation of all member states.

The Act also mandates that the MD must be an indigene of any North-West state and possess the necessary qualifications for the role. While Ma’aji meets the qualifications, critics argue that the failure to follow the rotational order set by the Act undermines the fairness and intent of the law.

Omission of Security Representatives

In addition to concerns about the MD’s appointment, Tinubu’s board selections have been criticized for omitting key representatives required by the Act. Part 1, Section 2 of the NWDC Act mandates that the board should include representatives from the Army, Police, and Civil Defence Corps, as well as individuals representing the solid minerals sector, the Federal Ministries of Finance, Education, and Environment.

Tinubu’s announcement of the board members did not include these security and sectoral representatives, raising further concerns about adherence to the commission’s founding law. These representatives are considered crucial to addressing the security challenges and promoting sectoral growth in the North-West region.

Presidential Response: Senate Has Final Say

Responding to the controversy, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explained that the National Assembly has the final authority on the appointments. Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu’s role was to make nominations, and that it is up to the Senate to review and confirm the appointments in line with the Act.

“It is left for the National Assembly to decide based on the Act they have passed. The president does not have the final say; that is why he has only nominated the representatives,” Onanuga said.