“Tinubu’s Ministerial List Breaches Federal Character Principle” – Ozekhome

Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has raised concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent ministerial appointments, alleging that they violate Nigeria’s federal character principle. Ozekhome contends that the president’s selection fails to meet constitutional requirements designed to promote equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

Ozekhome, speaking to The Guardian, highlighted issues with the concentration of nominees from certain states. He noted that Ogun State alone now holds four ministerial positions, including that of Finance Minister Wale Edun, in a nation of over 230 million people and 36 states. According to Ozekhome, such uneven representation disregards the constitutional mandates outlined in Section 14 and Section 153 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which aim to ensure that federal appointments are balanced to enhance national unity and social justice.

“With three additional ministers coming from Ogun, other larger states have been relegated to just a minister of state, undermining the constitutional requirement for fair representation,” Ozekhome said. He added that while Tinubu’s administration promised significant changes, the recent appointments seem more like “cosmetic window dressing,” without substantial improvements or impactful restructuring.

Despite his critique, Ozekhome acknowledged a positive shift in the reorganization of development commissions, commending the president’s move to consolidate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North East Development Commission, South East Development Commission, and South West Development Commission under the Ministry of Regional Development.