Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw the recently released list of ambassadorial nominees, saying it violates the federal character principle and could worsen ethnic distrust in the country. The list is expected to undergo Senate screening next week.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, Ndume, a former Senate Leader and one of the North-East’s most prominent lawmakers, said the distribution of nominees across states and regions does not reflect the constitutional requirement for fairness and equity in appointments to federal offices.
The senator argued that the President must avoid decisions that may deepen regional suspicion at a time when the country is already battling economic hardship, insecurity and rising political tension.
Ndume said his first concern was the unequal spread of nominees across the six geopolitical zones. He explained that while some states received as many as three or four slots, others were left with none. This, he said, contradicts Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that the composition of the government should reflect Nigeria’s federal character and promote national unity.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West zone has 15 nominees, while the North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively,” Ndume said.
He added that the North-Central region has 10 nominees, while the South-South has 12. According to him, such disparities could trigger political and ethnic grievances at a time when the administration should be calming tensions.
“This administration cannot afford to create the impression that some regions matter more than others,” he said.
In his statement, the senator also questioned the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe State, who reportedly died in July. Ndume expressed surprise that a deceased former lawmaker could still appear on the list, saying the error reflects poor vetting and inadequate scrutiny.
Political stakeholders from the North-East have also reacted to the controversy, saying the inclusion of a late nominee raises concerns about how thoroughly the list was prepared before being forwarded to the Senate.
The issue of federal character has been one of the most debated principles in Nigerian politics. Introduced during the late 1970s and later written into the Constitution, the policy was designed to prevent domination of the federal structure by any ethnic, regional or religious group.
Under Section 14(3), appointments into government agencies, ministries and foreign missions must reflect Nigeria’s diversity and ensure that no state or region feels excluded. Despite this, successive administrations—military and civilian—have faced accusations of favouring certain regions over others.
President Tinubu’s government has come under similar scrutiny since assuming office in May 2023. While some analysts argue that the President has appointed individuals based on competence and political partnership, others believe certain regions have received a disproportionate share of key positions. Ndume’s latest criticism adds fresh weight to ongoing conversations about equity in federal appointments.
In his message, Ndume described President Tinubu as a “cosmopolitan leader” who has relationships across all parts of Nigeria. He said this reputation should guide the President toward rebalancing the list to reflect national fairness.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust,” Ndume said.
He urged the President to present a new list of nominees that aligns with the Constitution and respects the sensitivities of all regions. According to him, the ambassadorial list is too sensitive to be rushed, especially considering Nigeria’s strained diplomatic relations and the need to rebuild global confidence.
A closer look at the distribution of nominees shows significant differences across regions:
South-West: 15 nominees
North-West: 13 nominees
South-East: 9 nominees
North-East: 7 nominees
North-Central: 10 nominees
South-South: 12 nominees
Ndume argued that while these figures might appear balanced on the surface, the distribution within individual states tells a different story. Some states reportedly have multiple nominees, while others have none at all.
This pattern, he said, contradicts the intention behind ambassadorial postings, which are meant to give each state an opportunity to represent the country abroad.
The Senate is expected to begin screening the ambassadorial nominees next week. However, Ndume’s remarks indicate that the process may not be smooth. Analysts say the senator’s criticism could inspire other lawmakers, especially those from the North-East, to challenge the list.
Senators from regions with fewer nominees may also demand corrections before approving the list. Such debates are common in the National Assembly, where regional balance often influences legislative decisions.
A senior legislative aide who spoke anonymously said the Senate may ask the Presidency to revise the list, especially if more senators join Ndume’s call for fairness.
Meanwhile, sources in the Presidency have yet to issue an official response. However, some insiders privately argue that the ambassadorial list reflects a blend of political considerations and competence, and that last-minute adjustments are common in the screening process.
Ambassadors play a major role in shaping Nigeria’s relations with foreign countries. They oversee bilateral agreements, promote trade, protect Nigerian citizens abroad and represent the nation in international organisations.
Because ambassadors serve as the country’s face to the world, stakeholders often insist that the selection process must be transparent, inclusive and professionally sound. Any imbalance in representation can send a negative message to Nigerians and international partners.
Ndume concluded his statement by stressing the importance of unity, especially at a time when Nigeria is dealing with insecurity, inflation, economic reforms and rising public anxiety.
“At this point, we need decisions that heal, not actions that widen divisions,” he said.
As the Senate prepares for next week’s screening, the controversy over the ambassadorial list is expected to remain at the centre of political discussions. Whether President Tinubu will make changes to the list remains to be seen, but Ndume’s appeal has already intensified the debate about fairness, representation and national unity.
