Ambassadorial Shake-Up: Ndume Says Tinubu’s List Endangers National Unity

Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw the recently released list of 65 ambassadorial nominees, alleging that it violates the federal character principle and threatens national unity.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the former Senate Leader and Chief Whip warned that the imbalance in the distribution of nominees across states and geopolitical zones could heighten ethnic tensions ahead of next week’s Senate screening.

Ndume raised alarm over what he described as “glaring disparities,” noting that while some states reportedly secured three to four slots, others were completely excluded. He also questioned the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who was reported to have died in July.

“The entire North-East has seven nominees. Further checks revealed that the South-West has 15 nominees, the North-West 13, the South-East 9, North-Central 10, while the South-South has 12,” Ndume said.

He argued that the uneven spread violates Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates fair and equitable representation in federal appointments.

“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture, he must avoid actions that could undermine unity or fuel ethnic distrust,” he added, insisting the President should “present a fresh set of nominees that aligns with the spirit of the Federal Character Principle.”

The Senate is expected to begin screening the nominees next week after receiving the list last Thursday. The batch includes 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees.

Among the career diplomats are Ambassadors Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), and Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa).

The non-career list features prominent figures such as former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.); ex-presidential aide Ita Enang; former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.); former Lagos deputy governor Femi Pedro; ex-aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode; former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Sources within the Senate told The Punch that the screening “will not be business as usual,” as opposition lawmakers prepare to subject several nominees to intense scrutiny.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has referred the list to the Committee on Foreign Affairs with a one-week deadline to report back.