Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno South, known over time for his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment, has made a turnaround, praising the recent appointment of several northerners into key positions across federal parastatals.
Ndume, who is the former senate leader, described the recent appointments by President as a demonstration of his responsiveness and commitment to inclusive governance.
Tinubu had on Friday, announced the appointment of no fewer than 12 individuals from Northern Nigeria into strategic national roles.
The list the appointees include: Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) – Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) – Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) – Executive Director, Operations, NAIC
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Other appointees are: Sama’ila Audu (Katsina) – Executive Director, Administration, NSITF, Musa Garba Mai Tafsiri (Kebbi) – Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Isa Aremu (Kwara) – Director-General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS)
In a statement personally signed and released in journalists on Saturday, Ndume said the latest appointments have addressed the concerns raised earlier by Northern stakeholders regarding perceived lopsidedness in government appointments.
“President Tinubu is a leader who listens. He is not afraid to review his decisions in the interest of fairness and unity.
“We were vocal about the earlier imbalance in appointments. But with these new decisions, the President has shown he takes feedback seriously and is committed to correcting course”, he stated
Ndume had previously expressed reservations about what he called a breach of the Federal Character principle, warning that exclusion of any region could undermine national cohesion.
However, in his latest remarks, the Senator commended the President for taking steps to ensure broader representation and equity, describing the appointments as “corrective and reassuring.”
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“No one is above mistakes, and good leadership is measured by how quickly one responds to valid concerns. This round of appointments reflects a deliberate effort to include competent professionals from the North,” he added.
While congratulating the new appointees, Ndume urged them to uphold the trust placed in them by delivering on their mandates.
He also reiterated his loyalty to President Tinubu, stressing that his criticisms were always guided by national interest and his constitutional duty as a lawmaker.
“I remain a loyal supporter of the President, but that won’t stop me from speaking up when necessary. Constructive criticism strengthens democracy.”
