Ali Ndume, the Senator for Borno South, has accused President Bola Tinubu of breaching the principle of federal character in his political appointments.
He contended that many of the president’s selections are skewed and violate Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires political appointments to represent the nation’s diversity.
Mr. Ndume voiced these concerns during an interview on Arise TV on Monday.
“The figures are there. You can look at the figures. I sent you one. I sent you figures. It’s not that I’m just making accusations. And it’s not that I’m saying the president has no right to do that kind of thing.
“But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, Section 14[3] of the constitution is very, very clear,” he said.
“When you look at it vis-à-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments, the constitution is very clear.
“It is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments, should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here.
“And all I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that it can be corrected; otherwise, you know, these things can boomerang at a certain period of time,” Mr Ndume stated.
The lawmaker, however, clarified that his comments were not meant as a personal attack on the president but to draw attention to some of his mistakes.
“I know, as you rightly say, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. And in fact, that’s why I’m in the National Assembly in the first place.
“Collectively, we are supposed to oversight the acts of Mr President and point out some of these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal,” he added.
He said he was ready for the possible backlash from Mr Tinubu’s supporters.
“Each one of us will stand before God, and God will ask him to account for what he is responsible for. Besides, we are all in this government.
“What will we tell our people? When you have these figures out, it is already viral, it is already in circulation.
“But you know what? After this interview, those attack dogs or maga-dogs will start attacking Ndume, not the message.
“It is not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all these things. Not only that, I have the right to even protest.
“I have the right. That is guaranteed by the constitution. But from tomorrow, those so-called Tinubu boys or people will start attacking Ndume. These are the facts,” the lawmaker said.
