The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe South of Yobe State has decried its exclusion from federal appointments so far made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party in the state lamented that despite contributing about 43 percent of votes that led to his victory at the 2023 poll, it has experienced “total exclusion” from Tinubu’s appointments, reports Daily Independent.
This it said is “despite being an APC stronghold,” adding that “in contrast, the minorities in the two zones of Yobe State have received more appointments.”
Led by Hon. Sambo Kakawa today, a delegation from the state chapter of the governing party stormed the Presidential Villa in Abuja to protest what they called a glaring imbalance in the distribution of appointments from the state.
They argued that “According to INEC data of 2023, Yobe South is leading with 43% of Yobe State’s total registered votes, with over 617,781 votes out of the total 1,485,141 of the state.”
Kakawa argued that while Yobe East and Yobe North have produced ministers, directors-general, executive secretaries and several board members, Yobe South has nothing to show despite being the state’s most populous zone.
“In the game of politics, population and majority votes are key considerations for leaders. We hope President Tinubu will heed the voice of the majority people of Yobe South, recognising their significant contribution to the state’s population and electoral strength, and consider their aspirations for representation in his administration,” Kakawa added.
The stakeholders warned that the continued marginalisation of the zone could affect APC’s fortunes in the 2027 elections.
They also pushed for the appointment of a Yobe South indigene and Director General of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Haruna Sardauna as the next Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, while urging Governor Mai Mala Buni to intervene.
Some State House officials who received the delegation, however, assured them that their grievances would be addressed.
In the last two years, the president has constantly come under heavy criticism following allegations that he seems to favour certain regions over others in terms of federal appointments.
Among his critics are Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), Northern Elders’ Forum and some prominent elites, who argued that his action violated Section 14 (3) of Nigeria’s constitution, which mandates that appointments reflect federal character.
