Ndume faults Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees, demands withdrawal

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, on Saturday, criticised President Bola Tinubu’s list of 65 ambassadorial nominees, arguing that it violates the federal character principle and should be withdrawn before Senate screening begins.

Ndume, a former Senate Leader and Chief Whip, in his statement, said the distribution of nominees across states and geopolitical zones fails to meet constitutional requirements for fair representation. He warned that approving the list could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the government should be fostering national unity.

Highlighting disparities, Ndume noted that while some states received three or four slots, others were excluded entirely. He also pointed out the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July. “The North-East has seven nominees, the South-West 15, North-West 13, South-East 9, North-Central 10, and South-South 12. Such imbalances undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution,” he said.

Ndume appealed directly to President Tinubu: “My sincere appeal is for him to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture, he should avoid missteps that could undermine unity and foster ethnic distrust. He should present a fresh set of nominees that align with the federal character principle.”

The Senate is scheduled to begin screening the nominees this week, following Tinubu’s submission last Thursday. The transmission, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, included 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, alongside 31 non-career nominees.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after senators commenced screening of an earlier batch of three nominees.

Among the career diplomats listed are Ambassadors Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), and Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa).

The non-career nominees feature several prominent figures, including former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) of Cross River; ex-presidential aide Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) of Kano; former presidential aide Reno Omokri; ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; former Lagos deputy governor Otunba Femi Pedro; ex-Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

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