Tinubu’s Appointments the Most Balanced in Nigeria’s History – Reno Omokri

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against allegations of ethnic favouritism in his appointments, describing them as the most balanced in Nigeria’s history. Tinubu has recently faced criticism from political opponents who claim his key appointments favour his Yoruba ethnic group.

Omokri dismissed these criticisms as unfair and argued that a full review of the president’s appointments paints a different picture. He particularly criticised columnist Farooq Kperogi, stating that it was “intellectually lazy and a hasty generalisation” to base accusations of tribalism on isolated examples, such as the composition of a single committee.

He insisted that a broader view of the appointments, especially when considered alongside the nation’s official order of precedence, would reveal President Tinubu’s commitment to fairness and national representation. Omokri noted that Tinubu had ensured that leadership across the executive, legislature, and judiciary was spread across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Citing examples, Omokri highlighted that the top appointed position, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is held by Senator George Akume, a Northerner, contrasting it with the previous administration where both Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha, Northerners like former President Buhari, occupied the role. He further pointed out that while Buhari appointed Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan from the North-Central region as Head of the Civil Service, Tinubu appointed Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack from the South-South.

Omokri also praised Tinubu for maintaining balance in appointing service chiefs and heads of security agencies. He listed key appointments across various regions, including Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser (Northeast), Lt. General Olufemi Olatubosun as Chief of Army Staff (Southwest), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff (Northwest), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff (Southeast), and Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector General of Police (Southwest), among others.

He argued that a comprehensive look at these appointments would show that the Northwest, Nigeria’s most populous geopolitical zone, understandably held a significant share of positions, followed by the Southwest. Omokri stressed that this distribution aligns with the Federal Character principle, which considers population size when allocating appointments.

According to him, 27% of Nigeria’s population is from the Northwest and 20% from the Southwest. He explained that the Southwest’s high educational levels also mean the region naturally features prominently in merit-based appointments. Omokri concluded that President Tinubu’s choices reflected not only national balance but also merit and constitutional guidelines.