The Arewa Youths Integrity Network (AYIN), a socio-political group from northern Nigeria, has raised serious concerns about what it perceives as ethnic favoritism by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group alleges that the President has been prioritizing the Yoruba ethnic group in his appointments while sidelining other tribes across the country.
AYIN’s criticism centers on the appointment of Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGoF).
In their statement, the group expressed dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s decision to appoint his “Lagos kinsman” to such a strategic role, particularly when “other Yoruba individuals are already holding several key roles in the government.”
The appointment, announced on Tuesday by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has Ogunjimi replacing Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.
Ogunjimi is expected to serve as Acting AGoF until Madein’s retirement in March 2025, which follows her pre-retirement leave.
Reacting to this development on Friday, AYIN’s spokesperson, Barr. James Ismaila, stated that the northern region felt overlooked.
He emphasized that “northerners are equally qualified for such high-level positions.”
The group, in a strongly worded message, declared, “Appointing another Yoruba man, who is also nearing retirement, to replace an outgoing Yoruba woman in such a sensitive role is a great disservice to the north. We, at AYIN, strongly oppose this, and we will not tolerate it.”
AYIN further highlighted the sacrifices made during the 2023 election, where they supported Tinubu despite regional pressures to back a northern candidate.
“We supported Asiwaju during the 2023 election, putting aside regional pressures for a northern candidate because we believed in the unity of Nigeria. We wanted a southern president after eight years of northern leadership, in the spirit of fairness and justice. But it seems President Tinubu is not following the same principles,” the statement noted.
The group warned against the dangers of perceived nepotism, urging the President to adopt a more inclusive approach to governance.
“This country cannot move forward in this direction. Nigeria belongs to all tribes Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and the many others. Asiwaju should be president for all Nigerians, not just for a particular section. He must rid himself of any tendencies of nepotism and favoritism. We supported him because we believed in his vision; now he must live up to that confidence,” the statement concluded.
This accusation of ethnic favoritism has added to growing concerns about the administration’s approach to fostering national unity.