Claims that the Southwest is given preference in security postings by President Bola Tinubu’s government have been denied by the Presidency.
Following Major General Olufemi Oluyede’s nomination as Acting Chief of Army Staff, the administration was accused of “Yorubanization” by critics, particularly on social media.
The Presidency responded by making it clear that competence determines nominations. Opponents counter that similarly trained police from other areas could have temporarily filled the job, citing worries about racial prejudice as a result of the strong representation of Southwest residents in important positions.
AFRIPOST reports that General Taoreed Lagbaja is undergoing medical treatment overseas, and Oluyede has been appointed to serve on his behalf.
In response to the criticism, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, shared a regional breakdown of security appointments made under Tinubu’s tenure.
According to the list, the North Central region has four security appointments, the South West has five, and the North West has eight. While the South-South and South-East each have one appointee, the North East has three.
“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 via his verified X handle @SundayDareSD.