Ndume Makes U-turn, Hails Tinubu For Appointing Northerners To Key Positions

Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his appointment of individuals from the three geopolitical zones in the North to key federal government parastatals and agencies.

The announcement made on Friday revealed that approximately 12 individuals from the North have been appointed to strategic national positions.

The list includes Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC); Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) as Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); Alhaji Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) as Executive Director of Operations at NAIC; Barrister Sama’ila Audu (Katsina) as Executive Director of Administration at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Professor Musa Garba Mai Tafsiri (Kebbi) as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, and Comrade Isa Aremu (Kwara) as Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), among others.

In a statement he personally signed and issued to the press on Saturday, the ranking lawmaker described the appointments as a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance.

It is worth noting that Senator Ndume had previously expressed concerns about what he called imbalances in the appointments made by Tinubu, which he deemed a violation of the Federal Character principle enshrined in the Constitution.

Citing Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, he argued that such imbalances could deepen political discontent and fuel opposition coalitions against the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, in his latest statement, the vocal Senator expressed satisfaction with the President’s actions, noting that they demonstrated Tinubu’s willingness to listen to constructive criticism.

He remarked, “President Tinubu is someone who is open to constructive feedback. I recognise him as a fair-minded and cosmopolitan individual. While we are all prone to errors, no one is infallible.”

He continued, “I recall that leaders in the North, including myself, were genuinely concerned about the recent appointments to key federal positions, voicing our discontent over the perceived imbalances. The hallmark of a good leader and statesman is the ability to adjust when decisions or policies are met with widespread disapproval.”

Senator Ndume asserted, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently shown himself to be a responsive leader. This recent appointment of Northerners into significant positions within federal parastatals and agencies was intended to rectify the imbalances created by prior appointments that left the North feeling neglected.”

He emphasised that he holds no personal grudges against President Tinubu and his administration, reaffirming his confidence in Tinubu’s ability to fulfil the expectations of Nigerians in delivering the dividends of democracy.

While congratulating the appointees, Senator Ndume urged them to not disappoint the nation, but to justify the trust placed in them through their respective assignments. He also reassured President Tinubu of his loyalty, affirming his commitment to fulfilling his duties as a lawmaker by highlighting any perceived excesses of the Executive arm of government.