Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has alleged a persistent pattern of unfair, unequal and heavily skewed federal appointments made by President Bola Tinubu since assuming office in 2023.
The forum in a statement by its spokesman, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, in Abuja yesterday, said the appointments had overwhelmingly favoured the South West region to the detriment of the other five geopolitical zones of the country.
It said this practice not only undermines the spirit of national unity but also violates provisions of the country’s Constitution.
It said the Constitution requires adherence to the federal character principle in the allocation of political appointments, bureaucratic positions and the distribution of socio-economic resources across the country.
The elders condemned the recent composition of the National Census Committee which it said was not only grossly lopsided in favour of the South West but also appeared to be systematically designed to exclude other key regions. It observed that this exclusionary approach is a clear affront to democratic values such as fairness, inclusiveness, justice and balanced representation.
“The conduct of a national census is a critical and sensitive matter, one that must enjoy the confidence and participation of all geopolitical zones. Any attempt to marginalize or suppress the interests of other regions risks undermining the legitimacy, accuracy, and national acceptance of the census outcome,” it said.
NEF, therefore, demands the following: “The immediate reconstitution of the National Census Committee to ensure equal representation of all six geopolitical zones in line with the federal character principle.
“A holistic review and equitable redistribution of all federal appointments in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect true national diversity and constitutional compliance.”
It warned that continued disregard for the principles of equity, justice and inclusivity threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity, adding, “The sustained marginalisation of certain regions breeds resentment, deepens divisions, and could fuel avoidable instability in the country.”
It noted that Nigeria is a diverse nation bound by a common destiny, saying preserving its unity requires leadership that is fair, inclusive and guided by the rule of law.
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