Presidency Fires Back at Ndume for Accusing Tinubu of Nepotism

The Presidency has hit back at Senator Ali Ndume following his accusation that President Bola Tinubu’s appointments are skewed and violate the principle of federal character enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.Nigerian cultural tours

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the allegation during an appearance on a Tv programme on Monday. He faulted the President for not ensuring balanced representation across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

“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. And it’s not that I’m saying, well, the president has no right to do that kind of thing,” he stated.

“But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, Section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear,” the senator emphasized.

According to Ndume, many of Tinubu’s political appointments fall short of the constitutional mandate which stipulates that federal appointments must reflect the country’s diversity.Nigerian cultural tours

“When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments, the constitution is very clear.

“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,” Ndume warned.

Anticipating backlash from his remarks, he added: “But you know what, after this interview, those attack dogs or maga-dogs will start attacking Ndume, not the message.”

In a response on Tuesday, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a rebuttal titled “A response to Ali Ndume.”

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

“While the Borno senator grandstanded as a moral authority on equity, he forgot to tell his interviewer that two of his kinsmen featured in recent NNPC Limited top appointments. The Chairman, appointed by President Tinubu, is from Ndume’s senatorial district. If Tinubu and his surrogates’ choices are so ‘tribal,’ how did two of Ndume’s kinsmen clinch NNPC’s top roles?”

Onanuga accused the senator of playing to the gallery and spreading misinformation.

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

He further defended the President’s appointment strategy, saying it is based on merit and national inclusivity.

“President Tinubu is deeply committed to fostering a government that embraces all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or regional affiliations. He aims to harness our nation’s diverse strengths to achieve a common goal: building a prosperous Nigeria. 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.”Nigerian cultural tours

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