Senator Ali Ndume has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recently released list of 65 ambassadorial nominees, arguing that it does not reflect the federal character principle and should be withdrawn before Senate screening begins.

Ndume said the distribution of the nominees across geopolitical zones was uneven, creating perceptions of exclusion at a time when national unity should be reinforced. He noted that some states received multiple nominees while others were not represented at all. The senator also pointed out that one of the nominees listed, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, reportedly passed away months earlier.

He argued that such discrepancies could deepen mistrust among different regions and run contrary to Section 14(3) of the Constitution. He urged the President to withdraw the list and submit a fresh one that aligns more closely with constitutional guidelines and equitable representation.

The Senate is expected to begin screening the nominees next week. The list features both career and non-career diplomats, including former service chiefs, political figures, technocrats, and former government officials. Lawmakers have hinted that this screening exercise will be more rigorous than usual, with several nominees expected to face probing questions.

The list has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for review, with a report expected within one week.