Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, is accused of ethnic bias since he has nominated many Yoruba people to high-level jobs.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The conversation on News Central’s Breakfast Central on Monday focused on the constitutional requirement that various ethnic groups be equally represented in federal appointments. “There is a lot of lopsidedness that favors one ethnic group, in this case the Yoruba ethnic group,” said Prof. Tukur Muhammed-Baba, National Publicity Secretary for the Arewa Consultative Forum, during the show.
It is unfortunate that we have reached a point when people in positions of power try to put their own interests ahead of those of others. Although Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, regretfully mandates that all appointments must represent the ethnic, religious, and other characteristics of the unit at all three levels of government, there are unquestionably constitutional provisions that prohibit discrimination.
He continued by saying that since uneven appointments are a social trait that varies depending on the system, there is no legal recourse, meaning that the government cannot be sued over them. Birnin Kebbi, the former dean of the Federal University of Technology’s Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, emphasized the historical context of these practices in Nigerian politics as well as the challenges of achieving equitable representation across the country’s diverse population.
As Prof. Muhammad-Baba reflected on the cyclical nature of ethnic favoritism in Nigerian politics, he showed how each administration has a tendency to replicate the policies of its predecessor. It is necessary to understand this historical context in order to appreciate the deeply rooted nature of these issues and the challenges they provide.
As we’ve seen, it is now practiced all throughout the country; it isn’t just in the Southwest, Yoruba, or Igbo; it has also happened in the North. What is unique in this instance, though, is that the ethnic component is given more weight than any other.
“The former regime was undoubtedly biased in its programs, appointments, and other areas, but this was more regional in nature than tribal or ethnic. For instance, several Northerners who were not necessarily Housa, Daura, or members of a certain tribe were appointed to significant positions by previous President Buhari. The Yoruba tribe is undoubtedly favored by this regime, but the problem also arises from the structure of the state and the politics we practice.
As the last speaker said, there are talented people from every tribe and region in this country who can be appointed to positions of authority and other responsibilities, but we also need to consider the nature of the appointment. Muhammad-Baba made reference to data he had seen, including the president assigning about eight posts to Nigeria’s northwest.
The list has a lot of creative ideas. For heaven’s sake, despite not being directly under security, the EFCC and NYSC were designated as security agencies. Many political scientists have talked about it, and I think it has to do with the nature of our politics. People typically hold positions of authority and influence because of their personal characteristics, their geographic location, or their inherent abilities, but in practice, this is more of an attempt to manipulate ethnic features than a sincere preference for those same traits.
To solve the chronic issues of nepotism and racial bias in appointments, structural changes in governance are desperately needed. This means ensuring that all ethnic groups have equitable access to political power and involvement, as well as putting in place robust processes for accountability and transparency in appointments.
He explained the complex interrelationships between ethnicity, nepotism, and government in Nigeria and emphasized the need for leaders to respect the federal character principles set forth in the constitution. He also emphasized the importance of fostering a political environment that values inclusivity and merit over racial or ethnic affinities. There is a possibility for substantial reform that might lead to a more equitable and effective Nigerian governance structure as long as these issues are explored.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
