NEF Accuses Tinubu of Lopsided Appointments, Demands Reconstitution of Census Committee

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised alarm over what it describes as a pattern of lopsided federal appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the administration of favoring the Southwest region at the expense of Nigeria’s five other geopolitical zones.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the NEF alleged that the president’s appointments since assuming office in October 2023 violate the Nigerian Constitution and undermine national unity.

Citing Chapter 2, Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the forum reminded the federal government that the composition of the government and its agencies must reflect Nigeria’s federal character. This, it noted, is essential for promoting national unity and preventing the domination of any region or ethnic group.

“The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and to promote national unity, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies,” the forum stated.

The NEF took particular exception to the recent constitution of the National Census Committee, describing it as heavily skewed in favor of the Southwest and exclusionary toward other regions.

It condemned what it termed an “affront to democratic principles of fairness, inclusiveness, and balanced representation,” warning that any census conducted under such conditions would lack legitimacy and potentially erode public trust in the process.

“The conduct of a national census, a sensitive and vital exercise, must be inclusive of all regions to ensure public confidence in the outcome. Any attempt to marginalize zones could have long-term negative implications for national cohesion,” the NEF warned.

In light of these concerns, the forum made the following demands:

1. Immediate reconstitution of the National Census Committee to reflect equal representation of all six geopolitical zones in line with the federal character principle.
2. A comprehensive review and equitable redistribution of federal appointments in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure national diversity and constitutional compliance.

The NEF concluded by warning that continued disregard for equity, justice, and inclusivity in governance could threaten Nigeria’s unity, deepen regional discontent, and fuel instability.

It urged the Tinubu administration to demonstrate leadership rooted in fairness, rule of law, and respect for Nigeria’s rich diversity.