Northern Elders ask Tinubu to dissolve census committee, review appointments
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Friday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address what it describes as a pattern of lopsided federal appointments, which it says favor the South-West region at the expense of Nigeria’s diversity and constitutional order.
The NEF also demanded the immediate disbandment of the newly inaugurated National Census Committee, citing its unclear mandate and what it described as the usurpation of roles by unauthorized officials during the inauguration process.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the forum accused the Tinubu-led administration of pursuing a regional and sectional agenda since assuming office in May 2023, warning that such a trend threatens Nigeria’s democratic fabric and national unity.
He also called for a comprehensive review of all federal appointments made so far, as well as future appointments, to ensure equitable representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Jiddere said: “NEF has observed with much dismay and regret, that since its coming to office, this administration has created some anomalies in the philosophy of governance which is characterized by arbitrary disdain for public opinion, a sense of impunity and lack of accountability to the norms of democratic governance which is reflected essentially in the respect for constitutionalism, rule of law and due process.
“This being the case, NEF finds it necessary to remind the government and the Nigerian public that Nigeria’s federal system is predicted on two principles – constitutionalism and inclusiveness.
“Our democracy is underpinned by the Federal Character Principle which is enshrined in our constitution. Therefore, all appointments into federal offices and the citing of federal projects must be predicated on these provisions and time honoured practices of government.
”Our democracy recognizes the diversity and spread of our nation consisting of various ethnic and linguistic groups, regions and religious persuasions.
“As such, every appointment made by the president of this country should take these diversities into account. Our democracy is also underpinned by a social contract between the state and the people which is essentially what Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates.”
NEF expressed strong concern over what it called “a blatant disregard” for Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that federal appointments reflect Nigeria’s diversity to prevent domination by any single group.
NEF particularly criticized the composition of the recently inaugurated National Census Committee, calling it “grossly and blatantly lopsided in favour of the South-West,” and warned that its structure undermines the credibility of an exercise as sensitive as a national census.
Warning of potential instability if the status quo persists, the forum stressed that “continued disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and inclusivity threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity.”
The Forum further reminded the Tinubu administration that its electoral victory in 2023 was made possible by nationwide support, with the North contributing the largest share of votes, adding that, “This should be a guiding principle, not a license to alienate other regions.
“From the foregoing, NEF calls for a holistic review and equitable redistribution of all federal appointments so far made in all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect true national diversity and constitutional compliance.”
