Tinubu’s appointments violate constitution – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his political appointments since assuming office, accusing him of breaching constitutional provisions on federal character.

However, the presidency has dismissed Ndume’s claims, describing them as hypocritical and biased.

Tinubu has faced criticism from various quarters over what some see as a pattern of favouring his South West base in key political appointments.

Ndume, speaking during an interview on Arise TV, said the president’s appointments violate Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates equitable representation of Nigeria’s diverse regions in federal appointments.

Ndume, who was previously removed from his position as Senate Chief Whip, partly over his critical stance on Tinubu’s administration, insisted the appointments made so far have not reflected the diversity required by law.

“The figures are there. It’s not that I’m just making accusations or that the president has no right to make appointments. But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 14(3) of the constitution is very, very clear on that,” he said.

“When you look at it vis-à-vis the appointments made so far, especially political appointments, it is obvious they do not reflect the federal character. And that is not the case here,” he added.

The senator said his intervention was not personal but a call for the president to correct what he described as “infractions” before they lead to political consequences.

“I am only calling the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that he can correct them, so it will not boomerang at a certain period of time,” he said.

He defended his comments as part of his constitutional responsibility as a lawmaker.

“I know people see me as someone who is critical of the government. I have the right to do that. In fact, that’s why I’m in the National Assembly. Collectively, we are supposed to oversee the acts of Mr President and point out these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal,” he said.

Ndume also said he was not afraid of potential backlash for speaking out.

“Each one of us will stand before God and account for what he is responsible for. Besides, we are all in this government. What will we tell our people? These figures are already viral, already in circulation.

“But you know what, after this interview, those attack dogs or ‘maga-dogs’ will start attacking Ndume, not the message,” he said.

He maintained that his stance was not about personal ambition or identity.

“This is not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all these things. Not only that, I have the right to even protest. That is guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.

“But from tomorrow, those so-called Tinubu boys or people will start attacking Ndume. These are the facts,” he added.

In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described Ndume’s outburst as hypocritical and misleading.

“Ndume’s latest outburst on TV about so-called ‘lopsided appointments’ by President Tinubu reeks of hypocrisy and selective perception,” Onanuga said.

He pointed out that two of Ndume’s kinsmen were recently appointed to top positions in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited by the president.

“The chairman appointed by President Tinubu is from Ndume’s senatorial district. If Tinubu’s appointments were truly tribal, how did two of Ndume’s kinsmen clinch top roles at NNPC?” he queried.

According to Onanuga, Ndume has a pattern of ignoring facts and making provocative statements.

“As a politician, Ndume has proven time and again that he is allergic to facts and addicted to theatrics. His habit of firing half-baked criticisms—only to be contradicted by facts—shows he is more interested in headline-chasing, rabble-rousing, and stoking divisive narratives than offering constructive criticism,” he said.

Onanuga emphasised that President Tinubu remains committed to building an inclusive government.

“The president’s appointments are—and will continue to be—based on merit, integrity, geographical spread, and a demonstrable capacity to serve the Nigerian people; not Ndume’s cherry-picked tribal arithmetic,” he added.

He called on the senator to engage in constructive discourse and avoid spreading misinformation.

“We urge Ndume to elevate public discourse and avoid misinformation and baseless criticism. This is a disservice to the nation and behaviour least expected from a Nigerian senator,” the statement read.

Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Services Committee, also criticised Ndume’s comments, urging him to focus on pressing national issues like insecurity.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Karimi said he was surprised by Ndume’s remarks and accused him of “playing to the gallery” rather than addressing real developmental challenges.

He cited the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged Ndume’s home state, Borno, as a more urgent matter that should command the senator’s attention.

“Over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s earnings in the last few years has been spent on fighting insurgency,” Karimi said.

“Rather than criticising the government, Senator Ndume, as a leader of his people, should go back home and liaise with them to find local solutions to Boko Haram. Insecurity has a local solution,” he added.