Has Tinubu Shown Inclusiveness In His Appointments So Far?

It is no longer news that President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, shook the country’s security architecture with his order by retiring the former Service Chiefs.

It is also no longer news that the president immediately replaced the service chiefs with new ones.

What, however, appears to remain news on the lips of many, is how much has the president shown national inclusiveness in all his appointments so far.

For the records, the retired service chiefs were all appointed by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

They are Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He hails from Delta State (South-South), Faruk Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He hails from Sokoto (North West), Awwal Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). He comes from Kano State (North West) and Isiaka Amao, as Chief of Air Staff. He hails from Osun State (South-West).

Buhari also appointed Alkali Usman as Inspector General of Police (IGP). He hails from Yobe State (North East).

Tinubu shook the country’s security formation in a measure aimed at repositioning its architecture to battle insecurity in the country.

To begin with, the new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye, Chief of Defense Intelligence.

When the news broke Monday night that the president has appointed new service chiefs, one of the very important areas millions of Nigerians were concerned about is where the military chiefs hail from.

Such a concern has been one very important area to every part of the country given the multi-ethnic diversity of Nigeria.

It is such a big deal to everyone being that the cries of marginalisation by some geopolitical regions in the country.

Every region of the country desires that feeling of inclusiveness in any government be it national or sub-national level.

Since Tinubu took over the reins of affairs in the country, he has so far made a series of very important appointments, which are of interest to Nigerians.

Let us take a look at all the appointments so far and evaluate if the president has shown some level of inclusiveness across the country so far.

Tinubu in his first set of appointments picked former Benue State Governor, George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Akume hails from Benue (North Central geopolitical region).

The president also appointed the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as his Chief of Staff. Gbajabiamila hails from Lagos (South West region) same as the president.

The president also appointed eight special advisers, but Nigerians appear not to have a buzz about that and where the appointees’ hail from except for the position of the Special Adviser on Security, which is also known as National Security Adviser (NSA).

The NSA position was given to a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu hails from Adamawa (North East region). Ribadu replaces Babagana Monguno as the nation’s NSA.

Then came the constitution of the 10th National Assembly leadership. Even though the president has no direct interference in the election of principal officers of both the Senate and House of Representatives, it is common knowledge that he has interests in who becomes who and to an extent, can influence how the leadership would emerge.

The position of the senate president went to the South-South geopolitical zone and produced former Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio. Deputy senate president position to Jibrin Barau from Kano in the North West geopolitical zone.

House of Representative speaker position went to Kaduna which is the North West geopolitical zone and produced Tajudeen Abass. Deputy Speaker went to Abia State and produced Benjamin Kalu. Abia is in the South-East geopolitical zone.

Tinubu’s new service chiefs have also equally filled in any supposed gap that could betray a lack of inclusiveness or fuel outcry of marginalisation.

The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj. Gen. C.G Musa hails from Kaduna State (North West), Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja hails Osun State (South West), Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla hails from Enugu State (South East), Chief of Air Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar hails from Kano State (North West), and Chief of Defense Intelligence, Gen. EPA Undiandeye hails from Cross River State (South-South).

The president appointed an Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), DIG Kayode Egbetokun, who hails from Ogun State (South West).

From the appointments so far, it is fair to conclude that Tinubu has shown some high degree of inclusiveness, a sort of unification of every part of the country. It is also fair to say a sense of belonging has so far been accorded to every region of the country with the appointments.

It is not out of place to argue that Tinubu has so far proved that he is a unifier, a title he has always touted.