Northern groups, Atiku slam Tinubu over alleged lopsided appointments

Some Northern groups have criticized President Bola Tinubu for the recent appointments of heads of security agencies, alleging that the Southwest dominates the positions.

In the same vein a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who ran against Tinubu during the 2023 election, also criticized the appointments, stating that they abuse the provisions of the constitution and promote separatism.

Five days ago, on August 26, Tinubu approved the appointment of new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“The new appointments follow the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs,” read a statement signed by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new Directors-General of NIA, DSS.’

For the NIA, Mohammed Mohammed succeeds Ahmed Abubakar, who resigned his position as Director-General, while Adeola Ajayi succeeds Yusuf Bichi as the new Director-General of the DSS.

The previous agency chiefs, appointed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, gave no reason for their resignations.

The aggrieved groups claim that this promotes sectionalism and threatens the foundation of solidarity necessary for a diverse society.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which had previously renounced supporting Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, described the recent appointments as a “continuous” marginalization of other regions, particularly the North, Southeast, and Southsouth.

No longer Oversight
The forum’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the matter was no longer an oversight, adding that it threatened the foundation of solidarity necessary for a diverse society.

He said, “The foundation of Nigeria’s political framework rests on the idea of inclusivity and mutual respect among its multi-ethnic populace. With over 250 ethnic groups, the essence of nation-building in Nigeria hinges on ensuring that every region feels represented and valued within the national discourse. The continuous appointment of Southwesterners to key government positions has led to frustrations among other regions, particularly the North, South-East, and South-South.

“This perceived imbalance is not merely a matter of political representation; it strikes at the core of Nigeria’s social fabric. When one section of the country feels marginalized or systematically ignored, it breeds discontent and can exacerbate regional tensions, ultimately threatening the country’s stability.”

NEF, however, added that it would prioritize someone “more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country” in the 2027 polls.

Separatist policies

On his part, Atiku, through his spokesman, Paul Ibe, accused the Tinubu-led administration of introducing separatist policies into the country’s politics, saying that the president is dividing Nigeria along ethnicity and region.

“The federal character, as enshrined in our constitution, is grossly abused by the present administration; the essence of that provision is to ensure that all the regions are represented in government,” Atiku said.

Atiku claims that “when you exclude other sections of the country from your government, you are inviting separatism and other agitations that are not developmental to the country.”

He added that after elections are over, the business of government is no longer political, as government belongs to all Nigerians irrespective of their region, religion, and political affiliation.

The Coalition of Northern Groups also warned Tinubu to stop regionalism in his appointments, stressing that regional, ethnic, religious, and tribal sentiments are playing a vital role in Nigeria’s democracy.

The National Coordinator of the group, Jimilu Charanci, noted that “it is worrisome and disturbing that even as President Tinubu claims to be a promoter of democratic principles, going by his appointment based on regional sentiment, he is reducing himself to the level of playing regional democracy.

“Since President Tinubu decided to make the appointment based on regional sentiment, let him understand that he is undermining Nigeria’s democracy. And Nigerians are watching with keen interest, and there will be a time when Nigeria will feel what President Tinubu did to them.”