North Leads with 56% of Tinubu’s Federal Appointments — FCC Acting Chair Reveals

The Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mohammed Tukur, has revealed that the northern region currently dominates federal appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accounting for about 56 percent of all positions filled so far.

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Tukur made the disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday while addressing ongoing public concerns about regional imbalance and fairness in federal appointments. He noted that while President Tinubu’s administration has made efforts to promote inclusivity, data collected by the FCC shows a significant tilt in favour of the northern states.

According to Tukur, the commission’s records indicate that out of all appointments made by the President across ministries, departments, and agencies, 56 percent went to northern states, while the southern region accounted for 44 percent.

“We have a constitutional duty to monitor and ensure that the principles of the Federal Character are strictly adhered to in all federal appointments,” Tukur stated.
“Our latest findings show that the North currently enjoys a higher representation, with over half of the appointments going to northern states. However, the commission is working closely with the Presidency to address this imbalance as more appointments are made.”

Balancing Representation Across Zones

The FCC boss explained that the imbalance does not necessarily suggest deliberate marginalization but is largely due to the sequence and timing of certain appointments. He said some regions had more vacant positions in key federal agencies at the time the appointments were made, giving them an initial advantage.

“It’s a dynamic process. As more appointments come, particularly in agencies and parastatals yet to be constituted, the balance will shift. The President has assured the nation that every region will be adequately represented,” Tukur noted.

He emphasized that the Federal Character principle, enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), remains a fundamental national policy to promote unity and prevent the dominance of one group over others.

Reactions from Across the Country

The disclosure has sparked mixed reactions from political leaders, analysts, and civil society organizations.
Southern groups, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, expressed concern that the figures confirm long-standing fears of regional dominance and imbalance in the allocation of top government positions.

PANDEF’s spokesperson, Ken Robinson, said the data from the FCC “vindicates those who have been crying out about the unfair distribution of appointments,” calling on President Tinubu to act swiftly to correct the disparity.

“When appointments favour one region significantly, it sends the wrong message about inclusiveness and unity,” Robinson said. “This administration must consciously ensure that all parts of the country have a fair share in governance.”

Similarly, the Afenifere Renewal Group, a Yoruba socio-political movement, urged the President to take immediate corrective steps, stressing that the South-West and South-East should not be underrepresented in key ministries and parastatals.

In contrast, some northern political commentators have defended the figures, arguing that representation should be based on merit, experience, and availability of qualified candidates, not mere regional balancing.

FCC’s Ongoing Audit

Tukur disclosed that the FCC is conducting a comprehensive audit of federal appointments and employments made from May 2023 to date. The exercise, according to him, is aimed at ensuring transparency and compliance with federal character guidelines.

He said the commission would soon release a detailed report showing the distribution of appointments across the six geopolitical zones, including gender and age representation.

“We are committed to transparency. Nigerians will see the data for themselves. It is not about politics or ethnicity; it’s about upholding the Constitution and promoting fairness,” he added.

Calls for Institutional Reforms

Analysts have also used the latest revelation to renew calls for a review of the Federal Character Commission Act to strengthen its powers and ensure stricter enforcement.
Policy expert Dr. Amina Bala said the commission should be more proactive and empowered to vet and approve all major appointments before they are announced.

“Right now, the FCC often reacts after the fact. To ensure fairness, it should play a preemptive role. Every major appointment list should go through the FCC for clearance,” she argued.

Presidency Yet to Respond

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not issued an official statement on the FCC’s disclosure. However, a senior aide who spoke anonymously said President Tinubu remains committed to fairness and inclusivity in line with his “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“This administration is for all Nigerians, regardless of region, religion, or ethnicity. The President’s next round of appointments will reflect that balance,” the aide assured.

Observers believe the FCC’s revelation could pressure the Presidency to re-examine its approach to political appointments, especially as the 2027 election cycle approaches and regional sensitivities heighten.

In summary, while the North currently leads with 56% of federal appointments, the FCC insists the imbalance is temporary and subject to correction as more appointments are made. Nonetheless, the disclosure has reignited national conversations about fairness, inclusion, and adherence to the Federal Character principle — a cornerstone of Nigeria’s unity and democratic stability.