Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately withdraw the ambassadorial nomination list submitted to the Senate, alleging that the distribution of nominees breaches the Federal Character provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
President Tinubu’s list of career and non-career ambassadors was forwarded to the Senate on Thursday and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening.
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Ndume, who represents Borno South, described the list as “lopsided,” insisting that it failed to reflect Nigeria’s diversity as mandated under Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
According to him, some states were allocated three to four nominees, while others, including Gombe State, received none.
He noted that Yobe State’s only nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, had died in July, leaving the state without representation.
Ndume further argued that the North East, in particular, was short-changed, securing only seven slots, an imbalance he said violates constitutional guidelines requiring equitable representation across geopolitical zones.
The former Senate Leader warned that such disparities could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine national unity.
“At this critical time in the life of his administration, President Tinubu must avoid decisions that could fuel ethnic tension or breed distrust,” he said.
“I appeal to him to withdraw the list and present a fresh set of nominees that align with the spirit of the Constitution.”
Ndume expressed confidence that the President, whom he referred to as a “cosmopolitan leader,” would act to ensure every state and geopolitical zone is fairly represented, thereby strengthening national cohesion and public trust in his administration.
