Tension is brewing within Nigeria’s National Assembly, as the South East Caucus hints at potential resistance to the upcoming ministerial screening of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominees.
This stance stems from mounting frustration among South East lawmakers, who feel that their region has been systematically sidelined in federal cabinet appointments, despite repeated appeals for equitable representation.
The heart of their discontent lies in the regional breakdown of ministerial slots. While the North West commands ten positions, the South West has nine, and the South-South, North-Central, and North-East zones each hold eight, the South East has been allocated a mere five.
Lawmakers argue that this disproportionate distribution clashes with Section 14(3) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which mandates the government to reflect the nation’s diversity and promote unity.
This provision, known as the federal character clause, was specifically designed to ensure that no single region or group wields excessive influence in national governance, advocating instead for a balanced distribution of appointments.
This imbalance has also highlighted Ogun State’s notable presence, with four cabinet positions—an arrangement many view as inconsistent with federal character principles.
For the South East Caucus, this disparity further illustrates a troubling favoritism, creating a broader sense of alienation and marginalization.
While some of the cabinet appointments signify a measure of representation, lawmakers argue they fall short of achieving the equity outlined in the federal character clause.
The issue has evolved beyond mere numbers—it’s now a question of constitutional fidelity, national unity, and the promise of equal opportunity within Nigeria’s diverse federation.
