Ambassadorial nominees: Withdraw, present fresh list, Ndume tells Tinubu

Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader, has faulted the list of ambassadorial nominees recently transmitted to the National Assembly, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately step back and review the selection.

Ndume, who represents Borno South, argued that the current composition does not reflect the nation’s diversity and violates the Federal Character principle entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution.

His concerns followed the announcement of the nominees by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary, after which the list was forwarded to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening.

Findings indicate that some states received up to three or four slots, while others were left out entirely. Gombe State has no nominee on the list and the only candidate initially listed from Yobe, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, reportedly died in July.

The North East, as a whole, secured only seven positions.

A regional breakdown further shows that the South West has 15 nominees, North Central 10, South South 12, North West 13 and the South East 9.

Citing Section 14(3) of the Constitution — which insists that appointments into federal bodies must reflect the “federal character of Nigeria” to foster unity — Ndume said the imbalance could create needless tension.

He cautioned against actions capable of deepening distrust among the country’s diverse groups, especially at a time he believes the administration should focus on strengthening national cohesion.

“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list,” Ndume urged. “At this critical time in the life of his administration, he should avoid missteps that could endanger national unity and promote ethnic distrust.

“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholders in the country.

“He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle that government’s structure and operations must represent the diverse states and peoples of Nigeria.”