Recent comments from Nasir el-Rufai have sparked debates about President Bola Tinubu’s government appointments, with accusations that the government is overly focused on appointing people from the Yoruba ethnic group. Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has strongly disagreed with these claims, stating that they are misleading and based on false information.

El-Rufai claims that the current government is prioritizing Yoruba individuals, particularly in influential positions like those at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and in the financial sector. According to him, this is a strategic move by President Tinubu to appoint people from his ethnic group to key roles. However, Omokri argues that such claims are not supported by facts and are part of a larger attempt to divide the nation.

To understand the situation better, let’s look at the composition of the NNPCL. The board of NNPCL is made up of individuals from different parts of Nigeria:

• Southwest: 2 members (Non-Executive Board Chairman and Chief Financial Officer)
• South-South: 2 members (Non-Executive Directors)
• Northeast: 2 members (Non-Executive Directors and Group CEO)
• Northwest: 1 member (Non-Executive Director)
• North-Central: 1 member (Non-Executive Director)
• Southeast: 1 member (Non-Executive Director)

When we look at the leadership at the ministerial level, the ministers in charge of NNPCL, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, are primarily from the South-South and North-Central regions, not the Southwest. This shows a balanced representation, rather than a focus on the Yoruba ethnic group.

Omokri further challenges the notion of Yoruba dominance by looking at other top revenue-generating agencies in Nigeria. Here’s a breakdown:

1. NNPCL: CEO from the Northeast
2. Nigerian Ports Authority: CEO from the Northeast
3. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria: Managing Director from the Southwest
4. Nigerian Communications Commission: CEO from the Northwest
5. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency: CEO from the Southwest
6. Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation: CEO from the Northwest

Out of these six key agencies, only two have leaders from the Southwest. Therefore, the argument that President Tinubu is favoring Yoruba people in his appointments does not hold up under scrutiny.

Omokri warns that such divisive rhetoric, aimed at creating ethnic tensions, could harm Nigeria’s unity. He urges Nigerians to demand verifiable facts rather than accepting unsubstantiated claims. Political leaders should focus on fostering national unity and ensuring fair representation, rather than spreading narratives that might destabilize the country.