Dear Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, calling the Tinubu-led Federal Government a “Yoruba-led administration” is a new low, even for you.
Not even I, a vocal critic of the Buhari administration, ever described that government as a “Fulani-led” or “Northern-led” administration, even though, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary were simultaneously led by northerners: the President, Senate President, and Chief Justice of Nigeria were all from the North.
Moreover, the most critical organs of national security and governance—including the Ministry of Defence, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)—were all controlled by individuals from the Arewa North.
Despite these overwhelming facts, no one described that administration as an “Arewa junta.” Even when President Buhari removed the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen—a southerner—under dubious circumstances and replaced him with Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who famously fumbled with basic legal questions at his Senate screening, we still chose the path of peace. We did not descend into ethnic finger-pointing. Instead, we respectfully called on the president to address the marginalisation of the South-East and preserve the national unity.
But now, because you were not appointed a minister, your surrogate is threatening the Tinubu administration and recklessly labelling it a “Yoruba-led Federal Government.” This is both unfair and dangerously divisive.
To correct the misinformation you are peddling, it is a fallacy to claim that this government is a Yoruba-dominated administration or that it favours the South-West above other regions.
Let’s examine the facts…
Nigeria has 20 major security and law enforcement agencies, including:
Ministry of Defence; Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); The Nigerian Army; Nigerian Air Force; Nigerian Navy; Nigerian Police Force; Department of State Services (DSS); Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA); Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA); Nigerian Immigration Service;
Nigerian Customs Service (NCS; Nigerian Correctional Service; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC);
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); Federal Fire Service; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which is, technically, a reserve military force.
Of these 20, only five are currently headed by individuals of Yoruba descent: the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, EFCC, and Nigerian Customs Service.
Your propagandists also included the Nigeria Immigration Service under Kemi Nandap. Yes, she is Yoruba by birth, but under the Federal Character Commission Act (2010), she is recognised based on her husband’s state of origin—Plateau State—which was the basis of her appointment. So, she was not appointed as a Yoruba representative.
Now, consider the revenue-generating institutions:
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL): headed by a northern Muslim
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA): also led by a northern Muslim
In addition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—the gatekeeper of Nigeria’s democracy—is also headed by a northern Muslim.
Still think this is a “Yoruba-led” government?
Let’s now follow the Federal Character principle by estimating the regional composition of staff across some of these key agencies (based on available insider reports and observations):
EFCC- northerners: 67 per cent; southerners (SW, SE, SS): 33 per cent;
Nigeria Customs Service- northerners: 63 per cent; southerners: 37 per cent
NNPC Ltd- northerners: 70 per cent; southerners: 30 per cent
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)- northerners: 57 per cent; southerners: 43 per cent
Military personnel (aggregate)- northerners: 59.3 per cent; southerners: 40.7 per cent.
This pattern is not accidental; it reflects a long-standing systemic dominance by Northern Nigeria in critical national institutions.
Mallam el-Rufai, perhaps your real frustration stems from a pattern closer to home. In Northern Nigeria, out of 19 states, your ethnic group—the Fulani—governs 10 states, despite being a numerical minority compared to the Hausa majority. Yet, the Hausa remain largely excluded from real power in the region. Is that not a form of internal colonialism?
Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, you accused others of ethnic dominance, but your track record shows that what you truly desire is control without accountability. Nigerians are now alert to this game.
Let it be known that right-thinking Nigerians—from all ethnic backgrounds—can see through your tactics, the latest being your attempt to label the Tinubu government as a “Yoruba-led” administration. They are prepared to resist and reject any form of politics rooted in ethnic cleansing, sectionalism, or manipulation. And come 2027, the country will bury this toxic brand of politics once and for all.
Thank you.
•Mogaji Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
