Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer based in Abuja, has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the federal character principle when making appointments to public service and institutions in Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, Olajengbesi emphasized that Nigeria is a diverse nation with multiple religions, ethnicities, languages, and geographic regions. Therefore, government appointments should fairly represent this diversity.
He warned against appointing individuals based on clan affiliation, as it could be detrimental to Nigeria’s fledgling democracy. Olajengbesi added that President Tinubu should learn from the mistakes of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Olajengbesi, “Close observers of the new administration cannot ignore the trend in President Bola Tinubu’s appointments. Although the President promised a government of national unity during his campaign, the dominance of Yoruba individuals in key appointments is concerning and undermines Nigeria’s fragile unity.”
“The emerging ‘It Is Our Turn’ mentality is counterproductive. President Tinubu should avoid repeating the mistakes of his predecessor, who appointed his own kinsmen to important government positions. The new President should be guided by the federal character principle, as it is integral to true federalism.”
Furthermore, Olajengbesi referenced Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution, which highlights the importance of federal character in promoting national unity and ensuring all citizens of Nigeria feel a sense of belonging.
He also pointed to Section 14(3) and (4) of the same Constitution, which emphasize the need for the composition of the Government of the Federation to reflect Nigeria’s federal character and promote national unity.
Olajengbesi concluded by stating that Nigeria’s path to peace, unity, and sustainable progress depends on ensuring that all ethnic groups, religious communities, and geographical regions are included in the new government. Anything contrary to this would be detrimental to the fragile democracy of Nigeria.
He invoked the powerful message conveyed in the third and fourth lines of the first stanza of Nigeria’s previous national anthem: “Though tribes and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand.” Olajengbesi urged the new Nigeria to embrace this mindset. May Nigeria be blessed.
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