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Ndume Slams Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Lists As Unfair
Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, on Saturday faulted President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees, insisting the list breaches the federal character principle and should be withdrawn ahead of next week’s Senate screening.
Ndume, a former Senate Leader and Chief Whip, argued that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the lawmaker warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East state has seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively. North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee,s while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Ndume said.
He warned that such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust. I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Ndume added.
The Senate is expected to begin screening the 65 nominees next week after receiving the submission from President Tinubu last Thursday. The transmission, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, included 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non-career nominees.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after senators commenced screening an earlier batch of three nominees forwarded by the Presidency.
Notable career diplomats on the list include Ambassadors Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), and Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa).
The list of non-career nominees features several political heavyweights such as former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) from Cross River; ex-presidential aide and former senator, Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) from Kano.
Other prominent names include former presidential aide Reno Omokri; former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; ex-Lagos deputy governor Otunba Femi Pedro; former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; ex-Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
Senate insiders told our correspondent that the exercise “will not be business as usual,” with opposition senators hinting at a more probing session for several nominees.
Akpabio has referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with a one-week deadline. “The committee is to report back to us in one week,” he said.
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2027: Tinubu Plot To Relocate Nigeria’s Capital From Abuja – Timi Frank
Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to relocate Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos upon his re-election in 2027.
Frank made this allegation known in a statement on Monday.
The former APC chieftain slammed Tinubu’s government for what he described as a ‘Lagos-centric agenda.’
He said that it has become clear to him that the President is pursuing an agenda of sidelining other regions.
According to Frank, major decisions of Tinubu’s administration are targeted to benefit Lagos State.
“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” Frank said.
Frank also claimed that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.
“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” he said.
“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!
“Secondly, no president in Nigeria’s history has divided the country and its people along regional and ethnic lines the way this administration has done.
“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling.
“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions, especially the North, South, and Southeast, so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.
News
BREAKING: Sultan Receives Moon Sighting Report, Announces Date of Eid-ul-Fitr in Nigeria
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
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BREAKING: Nigerian Governor To Build N19.6bn Specialist Hospital, Details Emerge
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
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