Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent lawmaker and former Senate Leader representing Borno South, has commended Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for recent appointments to key federal agencies, describing them as a move towards more inclusive governance.
In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Ndume lauded the President for addressing previous concerns regarding an perceived regional imbalance in government positions. His remarks followed Friday’s announcement of 12 new appointments, primarily from Nigeria’s northern region, into strategic national roles.
Among the new appointees are Yazid Shehu Danfulani from Zamfara, named as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), and Hamza Baba from Kano, who will serve as Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme. Also appointed were Abubakar Jarengol (Adamawa) as Executive Director of Operations at NAIC, and Sama’ila Audu (Katsina) as Executive Director of Administration at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
Other significant appointments include Professor Musa Tafsiri (Kebbi) as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, and Isa Aremu (Kwara) as Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies.
Senator Ndume had previously voiced criticism of the administration, citing the marginalisation of the North in earlier appointments. He had referenced Section 14(3) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which mandates fair representation of the nation’s diverse regions in government, warning that continued imbalance could fuel discontent.
However, in his latest statement, the senator expressed satisfaction with President Tinubu’s response, interpreting the recent appointments as a sign of the President’s willingness to accept feedback and his dedication to fostering national unity.
“President Tinubu is someone who surrenders to constructive criticism. I have known him to be a fair-minded, cosmopolitan person. No one is infallible,” Senator Ndume stated. “When our leaders in the North, including myself, expressed concern over the lopsided nature of previous appointments, it wasn’t to attack but to highlight an important constitutional issue. This move by the President shows his ability to listen and adapt.”
Ndume affirmed his continued commitment to holding the government accountable while reiterating his support for President Tinubu’s broader vision for Nigeria. He congratulated the new appointees, urging them to live up to the high expectations of Nigerians. The senator concluded by pledging his loyalty to the President, assuring that his criticisms would always be rooted in patriotism and the national interest
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