We’re not favouring S’West, Northerners still dominating security sector – Presidency

The Presidency has rejected allegations suggesting that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is favouring the South West in its security sector appointments.

The criticism gained traction on social media following the appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff, with some critics accusing President Tinubu of engaging in “Yorubanisation”—a term used to describe favouritism towards the Yoruba ethnic group.

Oluyede’s appointment follows General Tahoreed Lagbaja’s temporary absence due to medical treatment abroad. In response, some Nigerians argued that there were other qualified generals outside the South West who could have filled the role.

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Addressing these concerns, Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, has shared a breakdown of regional representation among security agency heads under President Tinubu’s administration.

According to Dare, the North West holds the highest number of appointees (eight), followed by the South West (five), North Central (four), and North East (three). The South South and South East each have one representative.

“Facts do not lie. Below we see laid bare the facts about the regional outlook of President Tinubu’s appointments within 20 security agencies. The label of him favouring Yorubas in the Security set up does not fit. Nigeria we hail thee!” Dare wrote in a social media post, accompanied by the list of appointees.

This detailed breakdown, Dare argues, disproves claims of regional bias in the administration’s approach to security appointments, reinforcing the Presidency’s stance that appointments reflect a balanced national representation.

See the table :