Southeast, South-South Gets One Key Security Position Each Under Tinubu, While Southwest and North Dominate with 21

[keypoints]

• President Tinubu’s recent security appointments have intensified concerns about regional representation, with the Southeast and South-South receiving only one position each, while the North and Southwest dominate with 21 out of 23 positions.
• Criticism grew after Major General Olufemi Oluyede’s appointment as Acting Chief of Army Staff, which some Nigerians see as evidence of favoritism, despite official claims that Tinubu is not biased towards the Yoruba ethnic group.
• The Pan-Yoruba group Afenifere has warned against “ethnic hegemony” and stressed the importance of fair representation to support national unity, cautioning that unbalanced appointments could harm inter-ethnic relations.

[/keypoints]

Southeast and South-South Receive One Key Security Position Each Under Tinubu, While Southwest and North Dominate with 21

President Bola Tinubu’s recent security appointments have sparked renewed concerns over regional representation, with the Southeast and South-South geopolitical zones securing only one position each out of 23 critical national security roles.

The remaining 21 positions were divided between the Southwest and the three Northern zones, with the North West taking the lead with eight appointments, followed by the Southwest with five.

The list, shared by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, was intended to address accusations that Tinubu favours his Yoruba ethnic group.

Dare aimed to debunk claims of “Yorubanization” in federal security appointments, stating, “Facts do not lie… The label of him favouring Yorubas in the security setup does not fit. Nigeria, we hail thee!”

However, the list has instead underscored the marginalisation of the Southeast and South-South.

Breakdown of Appointments by Region:

• North West: 8 appointments
• South West: 5 appointments
• North Central: 4 appointments
• North East: 3 appointments
• South-South and South East: 1 appointment each

This distribution has fuelled criticism, particularly following the recent appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff, which many Nigerians saw as evidence of alleged bias.

Pan-Yoruba group Afenifere expressed serious concerns, stating that Tinubu’s preference for Yoruba individuals in federal roles could damage inter-ethnic relations.

In a statement from its leader Ayo Adebanjo and National Publicity Secretary Justice Faleye, Afenifere warned against perpetuating “ethnic hegemony,” citing Tinubu’s concentration of Yorubas in critical sectors, including criminal justice and economic oversight.

The group emphasized its core values, asserting that it “won’t support any government that engages in undemocratic practices” or “ethnic hegemony.”

Afenifere’s stance highlights an ongoing call for equitable representation across Nigeria’s regions to foster national unity and maintain inter-ethnic harmony.

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