Ndume Tells Tinubu to Withdraw Ambassadorial Nominees Over Alleged Federal Character Violation

Senator Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Tinubu to retract the recently submitted list of ambassadorial nominees, citing concerns that it fails to comply with the federal character requirements outlined in Nigeria’s constitution.

The list, presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary and forwarded to the Senate committee on foreign affairs for screening, immediately drew criticism from the Borno South senator.

Ndume argued that the distribution of nominees across states and regions was imbalanced. He noted that while some states secured up to three or four nominees, Gombe State received none. He added that the only nominee from Yobe State, Adamu Talba, had passed away in July.

Providing further breakdown, Ndume said the north-east has seven nominees, the south-west 15, the north-west 13, and the south-east nine. He added that the north-central has 10 nominees, with the south-south receiving 12.

The senator maintained that the current arrangement breaches Section 14(3) of the constitution, which mandates equitable representation in federal appointments to promote unity and prevent dominance by any group.

He warned that disregarding these provisions could heighten ethnic tension and deepen national distrust, urging the president to act with caution.

Ndume said the administration should be especially mindful of decisions that could be misinterpreted “amidst the wrong narrative being promoted by the Western world.”

He appealed to the president to “withdraw this list” and forward a new one that reflects Nigeria’s diversity and constitutional requirements.

According to Ndume, national appointments must mirror the country’s broad spectrum of states and ethnic groups to strengthen unity and reassure citizens of fairness in governance.