Nepotism Accusations: Six Out of Tinubu’s Last 10 Appointees Are From the South-West
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing significant backlash for perceived regional bias in his recent political appointments. Critics argue that Tinubu’s recent decisions mirror the nepotistic tendencies of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with six of his latest 10 appointees hailing from the South-West region.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu’s preference for appointing individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group has become increasingly evident. This trend has drawn ire from various quarters, with accusations of ‘extreme nepotism’ gaining traction.
Speaking to People&Politics, Mr. Silas Ezebuenyi highlighted the regional favoritism in Tinubu’s appointments, particularly at the expense of the South-East, which has received the fewest appointments under the current administration. Rukevwe Joyce, a banker, described the situation as ‘nepotism pro-max,’ emphasizing that Tinubu’s actions violate the federal character principle intended to ensure equitable representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Joyce further noted that the South-West appears to have monopolized prestigious positions, suggesting that appointees might perpetuate this nepotism within their respective offices.
Among the new appointees are:
– Mr. Silas Agara (Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment)
– Umar Ibrahim Mohammed (Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency)
– Mr. Baffa Dan Agundi (Director-General of the National Productivity Centre)
– Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo (Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority)
– Mr. Saleh Abubakar (Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall)
– Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi (Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project)
– Mr. Tosin Adeyanju (Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund)
– Oluwaseun Faleye (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund)
– Mrs. Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay (Executive Director of Operations at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund)
– Ms. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran (Director-General of the National Pension Commission)
– Mr. Jobson Ewalefoh (Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission).
Some appointments have sparked additional controversy due to the backgrounds of the individuals involved. For instance, Hon. Mojisola Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, former representative of Amuwo Odofin 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has been criticized for her appointment as Executive Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). She previously faced allegations of repackaging COVID-19 palliatives as birthday souvenirs in 2020.
On social media, Nigerians have voiced their discontent regarding the imbalance in appointments.
@HAHayatu tweeted: “70% of appointments are now Yoruba and even within that, many are Lagosians. Nepotism pro max. Buhari was just learning.”
@EmmyPromise71 commented: “What is President Tinubu trying to achieve with this nepotism? Out of about 10 appointments, not a single Igbo person made the list. This is blatant nepotism.”
@nonsook96346206 noted: “10 appointments – 3 from the North and 7 from the Yoruba. No representation from the South-South and South-East, which hold over 95% of our oil and gas reserves. Tinubu should continue his ‘Yorubanization’ – history will remember.”
@captainsterling remarked: “This administration’s defenders and supporters are something else. I rise.”
@adeyanjudeji stated: “Tinubu is appointing Yoruba people everywhere. I miss Buhari. Tinubu is the worst president ever.”
