‘Tinubu’s Appointments Are Merit-based’, Presidency Slams Ndume, Accuses Borno Lawmaker Of Hypocrisy

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has taken a swipe at Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume, over the latter’s comments alleging ethnic bias in the President’s recent appointments.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday evening, Onanuga described Ndume’s criticism as “hypocritical” and “selective,” accusing the lawmaker of ignoring key facts for political theatrics.

“Senator Ali Ndume’s latest outburst on TV about so-called ‘lopsided appointments’ by President Tinubu reeks of hypocrisy and selective perception,” Onanuga said. “While he grandstands as a moral authority on equity, he failed to mention that two of his kinsmen were recently appointed to top roles in NNPC Limited. The Chairman, appointed by President Tinubu, hails from Ndume’s own senatorial district.”

The presidential media aide dismissed Ndume’s accusations as part of a pattern of “headline-chasing” and “rabble-rousing,” alleging that the Senator often makes unfounded statements that were later disproven.

Onanuga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, stating that appointments under the current administration are guided by merit, integrity, and national balance.

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

The statement ended with a call for Ndume to “elevate public discourse” and desist from what was described as “misinformation and baseless criticism.”