The National Assembly’s failure to confirm President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has raised concerns, especially in Jigawa State, where the nominee hails from.
Ambassador Haruna Ginsau, a diplomat and administrator from Jigawa, was appointed by Tinubu on September 28, 2024, as the chairman of the NWDC governing board.
However, despite the appointment, the National Assembly has not confirmed Ginsau, leading to growing unease in the region.
Jigawa State stakeholders, in particular, are upset by the delay and the recent changes made to the NWDC Act.
It is important to note that Article 4 of the NWDC Act, which established the commission, originally stated that the office of the chairman would rotate among the member states in alphabetical order.
This provision gave Jigawa State the right to produce the inaugural chairman of the board, based on the Act’s design.
The rotation clause was meant to ensure fairness and equal representation of all member states in the governance of the commission.
It was also introduced to prevent a situation where the chairman and the managing director of the commission could come from the same state, promoting balance in leadership roles.
However, concerns arose when the Senate decided to amend the NWDC Act during its proceedings on October 24, 2024.
The amendment removed the rotational clause from Article 4, which had given Jigawa State the advantage in securing the chairmanship position.
The Senate explained that the Act did not allow for sufficient representation from all geopolitical zones, prompting the need for a revision.
This decision has been met with strong criticism, particularly from stakeholders in Jigawa, who view the amendment as a deliberate attempt to marginalize their state.
In response to the amendment, the Northern Youth Ambassador for Peace and Development Initiative (NYAPDI) raised a petition to President Tinubu.
The NYAPDI expressed concern that the removal of the rotational chairmanship clause would undermine Jigawa’s role in the NWDC and diminish the state’s trust in the fairness of the process.
The NYAPDI’s chairman, Muhammad Sani, emphasized that the removal of the clause during the Senate proceedings on October 24 was a clear indication of the state’s exclusion.
In a letter to the president, Sani said, “During the Senate proceedings on October 24, 2024, Article 4 of the Act was amended, and the clause, ‘The office of the Chairman shall rotate amongst the member states of the commission in alphabetical order,’ was removed.”
The group further stated that the decision could lead to the chairmanship being diverted to another state, which would go against the intentions of the original Act.
This amendment, according to the NYAPDI, risks eroding the trust and confidence of the people of Jigawa.
The group made it clear that any attempt to reverse Ambassador Ginsau’s appointment would be seen as a disheartening affront to Jigawa’s contributions to the nation.
“Any reversal of Ambassador Haruna Ginsau’s appointment would be seen as a disheartening affront to this trust and to our collective contributions to the nation,” the group’s letter noted.
The NYAPDI has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize fairness, equity, and justice when handling the affairs of the NWDC.
They have also urged for the swift confirmation of Ambassador Ginsau, stressing that the ongoing delay is creating tension within the commission and the region.
This delay, they argue, is hindering the smooth operation of the NWDC, which was established to address the developmental challenges faced by the North-West region.
The commission is meant to drive progress and ensure that resources are allocated to improve infrastructure, security, and education in the North-Western states.
Ambassador Ginsau’s appointment was widely welcomed in Jigawa, where he is seen as a capable leader who can represent the interests of the region effectively.
The failure of the National Assembly to confirm his appointment has only added to the frustration felt by many in Jigawa, who see the delay as an unnecessary roadblock to progress.
Moreover, the amendments to the NWDC Act have raised questions about the integrity of the legislative process and the commitment to fairness.
Jigawa State’s inclusion in the leadership of the NWDC was seen as a step toward ensuring equitable representation across Nigeria’s regions.
Now, with the rotational clause removed and the chairman’s confirmation stalled, many fear that the principles of fairness and inclusion may be compromised.
The situation has sparked heated debates in Jigawa and among other stakeholders in the North-West region, with many calling for the Senate to reverse the amendment and confirm Ginsau without further delay.
