•Ndume and Tinubu
Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has slammed President Bola Tinubu over his political appointments since assumption of office.
Tinubu has come under attacks from some sections in the country as he is being accused of favouring the South West where he hails from, particularly with his appointments.
Speaking on Arise TV today, Ndume described Tinubu’s appointments as violations of the constitutional provision for federal character.
He added that the appointments have not reflected the diversity mandated by section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution.
According to him, “The figures are there. It’s not that I’m just making accusations or that the president has no right to do that kind of thing.
“But it’s a constitutional provision. Section section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear on that. When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments. And it is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here”, he stated.
He said he was only calling the attention of Mr President to such “infractions” for him to correct it so that it will not “boomerang at a certain period of time.”
Ndume, a ranking senator, insisted that his remarks were not an attack on the president but a constitutional responsibility.
“I know, as you rightly say, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. And in fact, that’s why I’m in the national assembly in the first place.
“Collectively, we are supposed to oversight the acts of Mr President and point out some of these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal”, he submitted.
He stated that he is not scared of being attacked for his latest take on the Tinubu administration.
“Each one of us will stand before God and God will ask him to account for what he is responsible for. Besides, we are all in this government. What will we tell our people? When you have these figures out, it is already viral, it is already in circulation.
“But you know what, after this interview, those attack dogs or maga-dogs will start attacking Ndume, not the message”.
He said his position is “not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all these things. Not only that, I have the right to even protest. I have the right. That is guaranteed by the constitution.
“But from tomorrow, those so-called Tinubu boys or people will start attacking Ndume. These are the facts”, he added.
