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Senator Ali Ndume’s latest outburst about so-called ‘lopsided appointments’ by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reeks of hypocrisy and selective perception.
The Presidency has criticized Senator Ali Ndume over his allegations regarding biased appointments within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Senator Ndume had accused the administration of violating the federal character principle in its appointments, warning of potential negative consequences if unaddressed.
In response, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, dismissed Ndume’s claims as hypocritical and misleading. Onanuga pointed out that two of Ndume’s kinsmen were appointed to prominent positions in NNPCL, including the Chairman from Ndume’s senatorial district. He questioned, “If Tinubu and his surrogates’ choices are so ‘tribal,’ how did two of Ndume’s kinsmen clinch NNPC’s top roles?”
Onanuga further accused Ndume of engaging in “headline-chasing” and promoting divisive narratives, stating that such behavior undermines constructive criticism and national unity. He urged the senator to focus on elevating public discourse and avoiding misinformation.
The Presidency reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, emphasizing that appointments are made based on merit, integrity, and national representation, rather than ethnic considerations.