The Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has raised strong objections to President Tinubu’s recent nomination of three non-career ambassadors, insisting the selection violates constitutional principles of inclusion and threatens the political stability of the ruling party in the Southeast.
President Tinubu had on November 26, 2025, forwarded three names to the Senate for confirmation: Ambassador Ayodele Oke from Oyo State (Yoruba), retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are from Ogun State (Yoruba), and Ambassador Aminu Mohammed Dalhatu from Jigawa State (Hausa). The nominees are expected to represent Nigeria in key diplomatic missions in the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Speaking to journalists at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Onoh acknowledged that the nominees are “accomplished professionals with extensive experience in diplomacy, intelligence, and national security,” adding that “their expertise could serve Nigeria well in representing our interests… pending final postings.”
However, he stressed that the composition of the list raises “profound concerns about equity, inclusivity, and adherence to Nigeria’s constitutional principles,” noting the complete absence of nominees from the Southeast.
“The composition of this trio—two from the Yoruba ethnic group and one from the Hausa—raises profound concerns,” he said. “Notably absent is any representation from the Igbo or the Southeast geopolitical zone, a glaring omission that undermines the federal character doctrine enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.”
Onoh warned that the President’s first ambassadorial list since the recall of envoys in 2023 “sets a troubling precedent” by favoring two ethnic blocs while “sidelining the Southeast entirely.” He argued that even if more nominations follow, “the damage from this opening salvo is already done.”
“It perpetuates a perception of bias in the administration,” he said. “This is not mere optics; it erodes the social contract of ‘one Nigeria,’ fostering division rather than the ‘Renewed Hope’ promised in the 2023 campaign.”
He expressed deep frustration that the message sent—whether intentional or not—is that the Igbo are considered politically expendable. “It echoes the pre-election warnings of being offered mere ‘slices of soaked bread’—token gestures amid systemic neglect,” he said.
Onoh recalled how he defended President Tinubu in the Southeast during the campaign, “stumping tirelessly in the region’s most challenging terrains” based on his reputation for speaking truth to power. “That trust… compels me to speak boldly now: these nominations, as they stand, do not embody the united Nigeria we aspire to,” he stated.
He also warned of serious political consequences for the APC in the Southeast, where the party has struggled but recently gained momentum. “This decision risks derailing grassroots momentum and mutual progress pacts,” he said, adding that the fallout could harm APC candidates in 2027 “not from opposition machinations, but from self-inflicted wounds of perceived inequity.”
According to him, the silence of many Southeastern appointees “prioritizing personal gains over candid counsel” further worsens the situation and alienates constituents.
Onoh urged the President to urgently rectify the imbalance: “I humbly urge Mr. President to swiftly supplement these nominations with qualified representatives from the Southeast and South-South zones. Such an adjustment would… rebuild bridges, mitigate polarization, and demonstrate that this administration values every Nigerian equally.”
He concluded on a hopeful note: “In the spirit of constructive dialogue and shared prosperity, I remain optimistic that this feedback will catalyze positive action. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
