The Presidency has apologized for inaccuracies in a list of appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since he took office on May 29, 2023. The list, which was released to counter claims of biased appointments, sparked public outcry due to missing names and inconsistencies.

The controversy began after Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused President Tinubu of breaching Nigeria’s federal character principle. In a recent interview on Arise Television, Ndume claimed the President favored the South West, Tinubu’s home region, over other parts of the country, especially the South East.

In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, shared a breakdown of the President’s key appointments, categorized by Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. According to the list, the South West had 29 appointees, the North West 35, the South South 22, the North Central 25, the North East 24, and the South East 16.

Public Outcry Over Inconsistencies

Instead of easing concerns, the release of the list intensified criticism. Many pointed out that the list was incomplete, with notable figures such as Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff from the South West, and Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, missing entirely. This omission raised questions about the accuracy and fairness of the data.

Critics argued that leaving out high-profile appointees distorted the true representation of regional balance in the government. The South East, which already had the least number of appointments, seemed further underrepresented, fueling accusations of marginalization.

Apology and Promise of Revision

As public outrage grew, Sunday Dare took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday to apologize for the errors. He acknowledged the inaccuracies and promised to release an updated list that would provide a more comprehensive and accurate account of the appointments.

“We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you,” he wrote.

However, Dare did not explain why key figures like Gbajabiamila were left off the original list, which only deepened public suspicion about the motives behind the initial release.

The Federal Character Principle

The controversy highlights the importance of the federal character principle, which aims to ensure fair and equitable representation of all Nigeria’s ethnic and regional groups in public appointments. This principle is crucial to maintaining national unity and avoiding feelings of exclusion.

Senator Ndume’s comments reflect broader concerns that the Tinubu administration has not fully adhered to this constitutional standard. His criticism resonates in regions like the South East, where many feel sidelined in the current government structure.

Supporters of the administration argue that the appointments are based on merit or political considerations, but critics believe such arguments disregard the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to governance.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Transparency

The Presidency’s promise to release a corrected list has heightened expectations for greater transparency. Nigerians now expect a revised version that includes all relevant officials and provides a true picture of the administration’s commitment to fairness.

The updated list will be closely scrutinized, and how the administration handles this issue could either reassure the public or further fuel dissatisfaction. For President Tinubu, addressing the concerns raised by the original list will be a key test of his leadership and ability to govern fairly across the country.

Conclusion

The apology from the Presidency reflects an understanding of the need for transparency and accuracy in public administration. However, the incident underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional principles, such as the federal character principle, in building trust and maintaining national unity. As Nigerians await the updated list, the government faces a critical opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to fairness and inclusivity or risk deepening concerns about regional imbalance and favoritism.