The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has alleged that certain federal appointments made by President Bola Tinubu since taking office in 2023 have been unfair, unequal, and have excluded some geopolitical zones.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Forum’s spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, claimed that these appointments have disproportionately favored the South-West region of the country, to the disadvantage of the other five geopolitical zones.
The Forum contends that this practice not only undermines the spirit of national unity but also blatantly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), specifically Chapter 2, Section 14(3).
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NEF further stated that the Constitution mandates adherence to the federal character principle in the allocation of political appointments, bureaucratic positions, and the distribution of socio-economic resources across the country.
In particular, the Forum criticized the recent composition of the National Census Committee, alleging that it is not only heavily skewed in favor of the South-West but also appears to be deliberately designed to exclude other key regions.
In its statement, NEF described this exclusion as a clear affront to democratic values such as fairness, inclusiveness, justice, and balanced representation.
“The conduct of a national census is a critical and sensitive matter, one that must enjoy the confidence and participation of all geopolitical zones. Any attempt to marginalise or suppress the interests of other regions risks undermining the legitimacy, accuracy, and national acceptance of the census outcome,” the statement said.
Consequently, NEF demands the immediate reconstitution of the National Census Committee to ensure equal representation of all six geopolitical zones, in accordance with the federal character principle.
It also demanded, “A holistic review and equitable redistribution of all federal appointments in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect true national diversity and constitutional compliance.”
The statement warned that continued disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and inclusivity threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity.
“The sustained marginalization of certain regions breeds resentment, deepens divisions, and could fuel avoidable instability in the country,” it added.
NEF emphasized that Nigeria is a diverse nation bound by a common destiny, and that preserving its unity requires leadership that is fair, inclusive, and guided by the rule of law.
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