ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Senate Leader and Borno South lawmaker, Ali Ndume, has clarified why he took part in the Senate’s screening of ambassadorial nominees, despite openly objecting to what he described as a breach of Nigeria’s federal character principle.
He raised concerns that while some states received three or four ambassadorial slots, others were completely excluded, a situation he said undermined national balance and inclusiveness.
Ndume had earlier called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the list of nominees, arguing that its composition violated Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates equitable representation of states in federal appointments.
However, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the senator explained that his eventual participation in the screening exercise followed assurances from members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs that his objections would be formally conveyed to the President.
According to Ndume, the committee agreed that the screening should proceed, but that its final report would recommend corrective measures to address the imbalance identified in the nominees’ list.
“I still believe the list is uneven,” he said.
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“At the committee meeting, I raised a constitutional point, and it was agreed that while we continue with the screening, the report will clearly advise the President to balance the remaining nominations in line with the federal character provisions of the Constitution.”
Ndume further argued that Nigeria’s extensive diplomatic network provides sufficient room to ensure fair representation across states, particularly in non-career ambassadorial appointments.
He noted that the country currently operates 109 diplomatic missions, comprising embassies, high commissions, and consulates, which could easily accommodate broader inclusion.
According to him, states such as Gombe and Yobe were excluded entirely from the list, while others were represented only by career diplomats, who are largely non-political appointments.
He suggested that each state should have at least one career ambassador and additional non-career nominees, stressing that such an arrangement would eliminate perceptions of marginalisation.
Ndume said, “This structure allows for at least two or three ambassadors per state.
“That will resolve the issue of imbalance and uphold the spirit of Section 14(3) of the Constitution, especially when you consider that Nigeria relates diplomatically with 194 countries worldwide.”
Recall that the Senate last week screened and confirmed 68 ambassadorial nominees, including former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri; and former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.