By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi
A Northern-based civil society organisation, the Arewa Dignity Advancement Initiative (ArDA), has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint former Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, as the new minister representing Bauchi State, following the resignation of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu and signed by its Chairperson, Hajiya Baheejah Mahmood Abdullahi, ArDA argued that appointing another nominee from Bauchi North Senatorial District would uphold the principles of justice, fairness and equity.
The organisation, which described itself as a non-partisan and non-governmental body committed to promoting justice, inclusive governance, national unity and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria, said it regularly monitors governance, public policy implementation and the equitable distribution of democratic dividends.
According to the group, the resignation of Tuggar has left Bauchi North without meaningful representation at the federal executive level.
"We consider it our civic responsibility to draw Your Excellency's attention to a matter that has generated deep concern among the people of Bauchi North Senatorial Zone. The recent resignation of Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who hails from Bauchi North, has created a vacancy in what was widely regarded as the only significant federal executive representation presently enjoyed by the zone under the current administration," the letter stated.
ArDA acknowledged President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and efforts towards national development but expressed concern that Bauchi North has been largely excluded from major federal appointments.
The group listed several key appointments currently occupied by indigenes from Bauchi Central and Bauchi South Senatorial Districts, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, presidential aides, party officials and other strategic political office holders.
It, however, argued that appointments such as board chairmanships and memberships of governing councils, while important, do not carry the same executive influence or developmental impact as ministerial positions.
"From our assessment as an independent civic organisation, the concentration of appointments outside Bauchi North Senatorial Zone has left the zone without commensurate federal representation despite its substantial contribution to the electoral strength, political stability and democratic support base of the ruling administration," the letter added.
The organisation described Mallam Adamu Adamu as the most qualified person to fill the vacant ministerial position, citing his experience, loyalty and administrative competence.
According to ArDA, the former education minister possesses "proven loyalty to the party and leadership, exceptional political experience and maturity, demonstrated administrative competence, strong grassroots acceptance and influence, as well as the ability to mobilise, unite and deliver results."
The group further argued that appointing Adamu would demonstrate President Tinubu's commitment to fairness, inclusion and balanced political representation.
"It would reassure the people of Bauchi North that they remain valued partners in the Renewed Hope project and that no zone is intentionally sidelined in the distribution of federal opportunities," the organisation stated.
ArDA maintained that its appeal was based on the constitutional principles of federal character, equity, justice, political balancing, inclusive governance and national cohesion rather than political sentiment.
The organisation urged President Tinubu to review the distribution of federal appointments in Bauchi State and give favourable consideration to the nomination of Adamu Adamu as Tuggar's replacement.
"The people of Bauchi North Senatorial Zone are law-abiding, loyal and committed supporters of the Nigerian state. They seek neither undue advantage nor preferential treatment; they seek only fairness, recognition, inclusion and equitable participation in the affairs of the nation," the letter concluded.
The group expressed confidence that the President's leadership would continue to uphold the principles of justice, equity, national unity and balanced political representation.
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