The lawmaker representing Borno South at the national assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, has berated President Bola Tinubu over what he described as a disregard for the principle of federal character in his political appointments.
While speaking on Arise Television Prime Time on Monday, Ndume expressed disapproval, saying that Tinubu’s appointments have failed to reflect the diversity and inclusiveness required by Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
He said the president’s actions have undermined the constitutional provision that mandates equitable representation of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and regional groups in the composition of government.
“The figures are there. You can look at the figures. I sent you one. I sent you figures. It’s not that I’m just making accusations,” Ndume said.
“And it’s not that I’m saying, well, the president has no right to do that kind of thing. But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear.
“When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments… the constitution is very clear. And it is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here.
“And all I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that it can be corrected, otherwise, you know, these things can boomerang at a certain period of time.”
Ndume, a ranking senator, insisted that his remarks were not an attack on the president but a constitutional responsibility.
“I know, as you rightly say, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. And in fact, that’s why I’m in the national assembly in the first place,” he said.
“Collectively, we are supposed to oversight the acts of Mr President and point out some of these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal.”
He noted that he is not scared of being attacked for his latest take on the Tinubu administration.
“Each one of us will stand before God and God will ask him to account for what he is responsible for,” he added.
“Besides, we are all in this government. What will we tell our people? When you have these figures out, it is already viral, it is already in circulation.
“But you know what, after this interview, those attack dogs or maga-dogs will start attacking Ndume, not the message.
“It is not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all these things. Not only that, I have the right to even protest. I have the right. That is guaranteed by the constitution.
“But from tomorrow, those so-called Tinubu boys or people will start attacking Ndume. These are the facts.”