The Presidency has issued an apology for errors in the list of appointments made by President Bola Tinubu, which was recently released to counter allegations of lopsided appointments.
The list, intended to demonstrate the administration’s adherence to the federal character principle, was marred by notable omissions, including key figures like Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Immigration boss Kemi Nandap.
The list was initially released to counter allegations of lopsided appointments by Sen. Ali Ndume, representing Borno South but critics pointed out that it was not comprehensive, with notable appointees from the President’s home region missing.
The list, released by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, showed the number of appointees from each geopolitical zone.
The list showed 29 appointees from the South West, 35 from the North West, 22 from the South-South, 16 from the South East, 25 from North Central, and 24 from the North East.
Persecondnews reports that Dare took to his X handle on Thursday to apologize for the errors in the list and promised to provide an updated list later.
“We have noticed several errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you,” he wrote.
He, however, did not explain why Gbajabiamila’s name was omitted from the list.
The controversy surrounding the list has strengthened the narrative of regional imbalance in Tinubu’s administration, with the South East being underrepresented.
Ndume, representing Borno South, had accused the President of violating the federal character principle in his appointments, which the presidency denied.
The incomplete list has reignited debates over equitable representation, with critics arguing it reinforced perceptions of lopsided appointments.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume said Tinubu’s appointments have not reflected the diversity mandated by section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution.
“The figures are there. You can look at the figures. I sent you one. I sent you figures. It’s not that I’m just making accusations,” Ndume said.
“And it’s not that I’m saying, well, the president has no right to do that kind of thing. But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear.
“When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments… the constitution is very clear. And it is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here.
“And all I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that it can be corrected, otherwise, you know, these things can boomerang at a certain period of time,” Persecondnews quotes the senator as saying.
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