The Nigerian Presidency is facing widespread criticism following the release of an error-laden list detailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointments since taking office on May 29, 2023.
The list, released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, was meant to counter allegations of lopsided and ethnically skewed appointments leveled by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South).
Ndume, in an interview on Arise Television, accused President Tinubu of breaching the federal character principle in his appointments.
In response, Dare published a geo-political breakdown showing the number of appointments from each region: South West (29), North West (35), South South (22), South East (16), North Central (25), and North East (24).
However, the list sparked immediate backlash for omitting key figures, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap — both from the South West.
Critics noted that the list’s inaccuracies further fueled the narrative of marginalisation, especially of the South East.
Amid the controversy, Sunday Dare issued an apology on his X (formerly Twitter) handle riddled with error:
“We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide at an updated list later. Thank you.”
But the apology was met with even more criticism on social media, with many Nigerians describing the Dare’s error and that of the Presidency as a sign of incompetence and lack of due diligence.
Here’s a snapshot of public reaction on X:
@DamilareOdulesi: “Even your tweet has an error. Competence is largely lacking among you.”
@de_generalnoni: “Is this not shame??? Didn’t you vet the list before releasing it??? Bunch of incompetent mofos… If not Nigerian politics na paddy paddy: You are meant to be sacked for that grave mistake!”
@PoloM77: “The difficulty in publishing a simple Ministerial or appointment list simply reflects the incompetence you people apply to Governance in this administration.
Something as simple as a list should have been stored in an automated system available publicly upon demand… What a shame. In sane countries, a resignation letter would replace this apology.”
@charles_maney: “There’s nothing we will no see in this APC / Tinubu presidency… people criticised marginalisation… you printed fake and inaccurate charts of appointments that fit your initiatives! May BOLA AHMED TINUBU never happen to NIGERIA AGAIN!!!!?”
@aku_buo: “Govt of propaganda by propaganda for propaganda. Very incompetent and ethnocentric government.”
@OladayoMARTINS: “Some things are not acceptable. Imagine a firm not knowing the number of employees they employed. It almost feels like many other things you share might be inaccurate.”
@DreadHound0: “Ethnocentric government of rich bigots. You people have ruined Nigeria with your tribalism and turned many ordinary people to monsters.”
@bigmorsh: “There was absolutely no need to rush it. There was plenty of time and plenty of hands to ensure the list was comprehensive. Not impressed.”
@CroBender: “Let’s not be trapped into western definitions in this instance, APC definitions work better.”
@nemeremibe: “Government of anyhowness by the Yoruba and fr”
@OfficiaEdoOsasB: “Government of the Yoruba, by the Yoruba and for the Yoruba.”
@UchennaEkechuk2: “Ronu bigot!!! Tinubu’s time will come and go, but the damage he has done to the cohesion of Nigeria will remain!! He fought for democracy to be practicing Awo Lo Kan. Yoruba Lo Kan.”
@LydiaValch: “Don’t worry. Is already in archive how South West hate South East. That first list is nothing but the truth. South East should wake up and know that Nigeria hates her.”
@Mickytoro: “Noted. Please research and present an updated list and we’ll evaluate and give constructive feedback! Again the focus should be on the performance of the persons appointed to these positions and not ethnic affiliations. You are as confused as the list.”
As the Presidency prepares a corrected version of the appointments list, analysts say the incident has done little to quell public concern over transparency, national unity, and the federal character principle under Tinubu’s administration.
