An Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to allow the federal character principle guide his appointments to public service and institutions in the country.
Olajengbesi took to a statement on Friday to reiterate that Nigeria is a heterogenous and multi-religious country hence all government appointments should fairly reflect the religious, ethnic, linguistic, and geographic diversity of the country.
He cautioned that clannish appointments are dangerous for Nigeria’s embryonic democracy, adding that the President should not repeat the mistakes of his immediate-past predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Olajengbesi said, “Keen observers of the new administration cannot deny the trend in the appointments of President Bola Tinubu. The President during his campaigns promised a government of national unity but the dominating feature of Yoruba men and women in the appointments of the President is worrisome and detrimental to the fragile unity of Nigeria.
“The unfolding ‘It Is Our Turn’ mindset is self-defeating. President Tinubu should not repeat the mistake of his predecessor who appointed his kinsmen into key government offices. The new President should be guided by the federal character principle as it cannot be separated from true federalism.
“Moreover, Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution is clear on the need for federal character in order to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation.
“Also, Section 14 (3 and (4) of the 1999 Constitution is clear that the composition of the Government of the Federation must be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity.
“Nigeria’s path to peace, oneness and sustainable progress delicately rests on the need for all ethnic nationalities, religious groups and geographical components to feel included in the new government. Anything outside this is detrimental to our fragile democracy.
“The composers of Nigeria’s previous national anthem captured it so beautiful in the third and fourth lines of the first stanza: ‘Though tribes and tongue may differ/In brotherhood we stand’. This should be the mentality of the new Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.”
