A growing political storm over alleged lopsided appointments in President Bola Tinubu’s administration has drawn criticism from major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and multiple political parties. The controversy intensified after the Presidency’s botched attempt to defend its hiring record with an incomplete list of appointees.
Key developments:
- Atiku and opposition parties (PDP, CUPP, NNPP) accuse Tinubu of violating constitutional federal character principles
- Presidency’s initial list showed 29 South-West appointees vs 16 from South-East, but omitted key Yoruba figures like Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila
- Special Adviser Sunday Dare apologized for “errors” in the data but provided no explanation for omissions
- Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) earlier criticized appointments as regionally imbalanced on national television
“The administration’s own flawed defense confirms what Nigerians suspect – institutionalized nepotism,” Atiku’s spokesman Paul Ibe told journalists. “State-sponsored bigotry in a multi-ethnic nation courts disaster.”
The backlash follows Tinubu’s recent working visit to France, where he reviewed his administration’s performance ahead of its second anniversary. Political analysts suggest the appointments controversy could undermine national unity efforts as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
Presidency sources indicate a revised list may be released next week, though critics demand more transparent ethnic breakdowns beyond regional classifications. Constitutional lawyers note persistent violations of Section 14(3) could trigger legal challenges to recent appointments.
