The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has raised alarm over what it describes as the increasing marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group in recent federal appointments and legislative actions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement signed by its president, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, the group cited the composition of the newly constituted National Population and Census Commission as a notable example. According to ADF, the eight-member body comprises five Yoruba and three northern representatives, with no appointee from the South-East.

“This is a deliberate attempt to sideline the Igbo in a sensitive national body,” Awuzie stated, warning that the exclusion could signal a calculated move to manipulate future census outcomes to the region’s detriment.

The group also condemned the sudden removal of Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe as Director-General of the Nigeria Climate Change Council (NCCC) less than two months into her appointment. She was replaced by Omotenioye Majekodunmi, a Yoruba nominee, despite earlier presidential commendation of her pioneering efforts at the Council.

ADF further accused President Tinubu of stalling the career progression of Deputy Comptroller General B.U. Nwafor by extending the tenure of the incumbent Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, beyond the statutory retirement age. The group alleged that the move was aimed at paving the way for another Yoruba officer to head the Customs Service, sidelining Nwafor despite her seniority.

In addition, the group criticised the recent announcement of 16 new directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), noting that no Igbo individual was included among the appointees.

“One may ask, what are the criteria for this reactionary attitude against Ndigbo? Is this how a nation is built?” the group queried.
ADF also rejected a proposed bill before the National Assembly seeking to name the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairs of the National Council of Traditional Rulers. The group described the move as an affront to Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity, particularly the Igbo, whose traditional institutions — including the Nri Dynasty — are among the oldest in the country.

“This bill is not only provocative but also subjugative. President Tinubu should note that there is a limit to provocation. A million Tinubus cannot subjugate Ndigbo,” the statement read.

The group called on Igbo legislators in the National Assembly to resist what it termed “illegitimate measures” that threaten national unity and regional equity.