The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), a prominent socio-cultural pressure group from the northern region of Nigeria, has expressed its reservations about what it perceives as a concentration of appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the South-West region, particularly Lagos State. The group has raised concerns over the trend, labeling it as “Yorubanisation” and “Lagoslisation” of appointments.
Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, the Chairman of the Arewa Economic Forum, conveyed the group’s displeasure during a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday. Dandakata highlighted that a significant portion of the individuals appointed by President Tinubu to key sectors of the country’s administration hail from the South-West and Lagos State.
The Chairman expressed his disappointment that the North, which played a crucial role in bringing President Tinubu’s government into power, appears to be sidelined in appointments related to the Finance and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors, both of which are vital for economic development.
Dandakata pointed out the notable appointments from the South-West, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Folashodun Shonubi. He further cited the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, as well as the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on ICT, Senator Afolabi Salisu and Hon. Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo, respectively.
The Chairman expressed concern over recent replacements of chief executive officers in agencies, such as Customs and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), with individuals from the South-West. Dandakata argued that such appointments, changes, and replacements could send the wrong signal about the President’s intentions or the agenda of his key associates.
He also raised questions about a recent directive from the President regarding the leadership of the National Identity Management Commission. The President appointed Engr Bisoye Coker-Odusote as acting Director-General (DG) after asking the immediate past DG to vacate the position and proceed on terminal leave. Dandakata found this sequence curious and believed that it could set a detrimental precedent in public service appointments.
