The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent wave of appointments, including those from Northern Nigeria, describing the move as a “desperate attempt to regain lost trust” after months of neglecting the region.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party dismissed the appointments—such as that of Mohammed Babangida, son of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida—as “too little, too late.”
“You cannot marginalise a region for over twenty-five months and expect applause because you suddenly remembered on the twenty-sixth month that Nigeria is bigger than Lagos State,” the statement read.
The ADC described the appointments as “political panic management,” aimed at masking the “gaping wounds” caused by the administration’s alleged neglect, arrogance, and nepotism, particularly towards Northern communities.
“For more than a year, this government ignored the North while bandits ravaged villages, farmers abandoned their land, and rural economies collapsed under the weight of hasty fuel subsidy removal,” Abdullahi said.
He accused the Tinubu administration of excluding the North from major policy decisions, only to now offer appointments as “consolation prizes” in the face of mounting public discontent and a strengthening opposition.
“Northerners know the difference between tokenism and true inclusion. They won’t be fooled by symbolic gestures,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC urged the president to abandon what it called “Bourdillon-style appeasement politics”—a reference to Tinubu’s political base in Lagos—and adopt genuine national inclusion through fair consultation, balanced policymaking, and adherence to federal character.
“You can’t rebuild public trust with titles and press releases. Real leadership requires sincere commitment to unity and nation-building,” the party concluded.
