Corrections in Appointments List Deepens Tinubu Bias Allegations

By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter

NIGERIA’s PRESIDENCY found itself at the centre of renewed controversy after the government acknowledged errors in a recently published list of appointments, which was meant to address accusations of ethnic favouritism.

The list, released in response to mounting criticism that President Bola Tinubu’s appointments skew heavily in favour of his South West base, was meant to show regional equity in key federal roles.

Instead, it drew further fire after omitting a high-profile name—Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila—whose inclusion would have altered the statistics.

Senator Ali Ndume, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Borno South, reignited the debate during a televised interview, alleging that the President had breached Nigeria’s federal character principle.

Though a member of the ruling party, Ndume insisted his legislative duty demanded that he speak out, calling Tinubu’s selections “lopsided.”

To counter the allegation, the Presidency unveiled a breakdown of the President’s appointments: 29 from the South West, 35 from the North West, 22 from the South-South, 16 from the South East, 25 from the North Central, and 24 from the North East.

But the list’s omission of Gbajabiamila, one of the administration’s most senior figures, intensified criticism online, with commentators pointing to the South East’s continued underrepresentation.

The backlash prompted a swift response from Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, who took to social media early Thursday to issue a public apology.

“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,” Dare wrote on X.