Senator Ali Ndume says Tinubu’s appointments so far violate Federal Character

Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as the lopsided nature of recent political appointments, saying they violate the constitutional principle of federal character.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday evening, Ndume expressed concern over what he sees as deliberate infractions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that appointments must reflect Nigeria’s federal character to ensure national unity.

“Section 14.3 of the Constitution is very, very clear. When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and they are political appointments… the Constitution clearly states that such appointments should reflect the federal character. And that is not the case here,” Ndume said.

While acknowledging that certain professional appointments, such as service chiefs, must be made from within relevant professions, the senator argued that political appointments are a different matter entirely.

“You can’t appoint somebody who is not a soldier to become the Chief of Army Staff. Or appoint somebody that is not a police [officer] to be the I.G. of Police,” he said. “But when it comes to political appointments, the Constitution is very clear.”

Ndume warned that failure to respect constitutional provisions could have dire consequences in the long run.

“All I’m 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.”

The senator, who has been critical of government policies lately, said his position is based on principle and constitutional duty, not personal grievances.

“I know, as you rightly said, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. In fact, that’s why I’m in the National Assembly… 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.”

He also dismissed potential personal backlash over his comments, insisting that public scrutiny must focus on the message rather than the messenger.

“From now, after this interview, those attack dogs or MAGA dogs… will start attacking Ndume, not the message. And that’s why we always get it wrong. It is not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all this. It’s not only that—I have the right to even protest. That is guaranteed by the Constitution.”

Despite his criticisms, Ndume disclosed that he maintains a cordial relationship with Tinubu and many key figures in the administration.

“In the north, if you count not up to five people that have close relationship with Mr. President, Ndume is one of them. But that does not stop me from speaking the truth. I have an obligation to do that.”

Undenied compiled lists of Tinubu’s appointments circulating on social media as follows: