Bayo Onanuga, a prominent Nigerian media personality, has fired back at Senator Ali Ndume following his recent comments about "lopsided appointments" by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a sharp response, Onanuga accused the Borno senator of hypocrisy and selective perception, calling out his criticism as both misleading and politically motivated.Ndume, in a recent TV appearance, had criticized President Tinubu's appointments, alleging a tribal bias in the selection of key figures in the government. However, Onanuga was quick to point out what he sees as contradictions in Ndume’s comments, specifically regarding the recent top-level appointments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited.
"While Senator Ndume grandstanded as a moral authority on equity, he conveniently ignored the fact that two of his kinsmen were appointed to top roles in NNPC Limited. The Chairman, appointed by President Tinubu, is from Ndume's own senatorial district," Onanuga stated. "If Tinubu’s appointments are as ‘tribal’ as Ndume claims, how is it that two of his own people clinched these significant positions?"
Onanuga went further, criticizing Ndume for what he described as his habitual tendency to make baseless criticisms without any regard for facts. He labeled Ndume’s behavior as headline-chasing and divisive, asserting that the senator was more interested in stirring up controversy than offering constructive and fact-based feedback.
“Senator Ndume has repeatedly proven to be allergic to facts, addicted to theatrics, and more focused on stoking divisive narratives than engaging in meaningful discourse,” Onanuga remarked. “His criticisms are half-baked and often contradicted by the very facts he chooses to ignore.”
Onanuga also defended President Tinubu’s approach to appointments, emphasizing that the president's decisions are rooted in merit, integrity, and geographical balance. He reiterated that Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity aims to build a government that reflects Nigeria's diverse strengths, ensuring that no group is left behind.
“The president’s appointments are—and will continue to be—based on merit, integrity, and a demonstrable capacity to serve the Nigerian people, not Ndume’s cherry-picked tribal arithmetic,” Onanuga added.
In his concluding remarks, Onanuga urged Senator Ndume to focus on elevating the public discourse, warning that spreading misinformation and engaging in baseless criticism does a disservice to the nation and undermines the role of elected officials.
“This behavior is the least expected from a Nigerian Senator, and it only undermines the very principles of leadership and governance that our country needs,” Onanuga concluded.
The back-and-forth between Onanuga and Ndume highlights the ongoing debate about ethnic and regional representation in President Tinubu’s appointments, with both sides defending their positions in the larger context of Nigeria’s political landscape.
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