By OBSERVERS TIMES
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has reversed his previous stance and commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing individuals from the North to key positions in federal government parastatals and agencies.
Ndume’s praise follows Friday’s announcement of approximately 12 appointments of Northerners to strategic national roles. These include individuals like Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) as Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and Professor Musa Garba Mai Tafsiri (Kebbi) as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education.
The former Senate Leader, in a statement released on Saturday, described the appointments as a sign of President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance.
This marks a significant shift from Ndume’s earlier criticisms of Tinubu’s appointments, which he had deemed imbalanced and a potential violation of the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the Constitution. Ndume had previously warned that such imbalances could fuel political discontent.
However, in his latest statement, Senator Ndume expressed satisfaction, saying the President had demonstrated a willingness to listen to constructive criticism. “President Tinubu is someone who is open to constructive feedback,” Ndume stated. “While we are all prone to errors, no one is infallible.”
He further explained that leaders in the North, including himself, had voiced their concerns over the perceived imbalances in previous appointments. “The hallmark of a good leader and statesman is the ability to adjust when decisions or policies are met with widespread disapproval,” he added.
Ndume emphasized his belief that President Tinubu is a responsive leader and that the recent appointments were intended to rectify the prior neglect felt by the North. He also reaffirmed his confidence in Tinubu’s ability to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians and reiterated his commitment to holding the Executive accountable as a lawmaker.
Ndume concluded by congratulating the appointees and urging them to justify the trust placed in them.
