Tinubu’s Appointment of Northerners into Key Positions Has Addressed Imbalance, Says Ndume

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment of northerners into key Federal Government agencies, stating that the move has addressed his concerns about imbalance in appointments.

In a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday, Ndume described the appointments as a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance. The senator’s comments come after the President announced the appointment of 12 individuals from the North to strategic national positions on Friday.

The appointees include Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) as Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC); Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) as Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); and Alhaji Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) as Executive Director, Operations – Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), among others.

Ndume, a ranking lawmaker and former Chief Whip of the Senate, lhad previously expressed concern over the lopsidedness in the Tinubu administration’s appointments, citing a clear violation of the Federal Character principle enshrined in the Constitution.

However, he has now praised the President for being a listening leader who has taken steps to address the imbalance.

“President Tinubu is someone who surrenders to constructive criticisms. I have known him to be a fair-minded, cosmopolitan person. Yes, we are all bound to make mistakes. No one is infallible,” Ndume said in his statement.

The senator noted that he had raised his voice, along with other northern leaders, against the perceived imbalances in recent appointments, but was impressed by the President’s willingness to listen and adjust his decisions accordingly.

“The hallmark of a good leader and statesman is to quickly adjust himself when he takes a decision or makes a policy pronouncement that a large section of the people finds unpopular and uncomfortable with. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has demonstrated several times that he is a responsive leader,” Ndume said.

While congratulating the appointees, Ndume urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and not fail the nation.

He also reassured Tinubu of his loyalty, stating that he would continue to point out perceived excesses of the executive as a lawmaker.

With Ndume’s latest statement, it appears that the President has taken steps to address the concerns of northern leaders.

The move is expected to boost confidence in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and may help to alleviate some of the political tensions that had arisen over the appointments.