The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) has accused President Bola Tinubu of nepotistic practices of appointing Yorubas, especially Lagosians, into key positions.

The group claimed that the finance and ICT sectors, which are crucial to the country’s economic development, are dominated by individuals from the South-West.

“We are afraid to state that a situation whereby the appointees in crucial economic sectors are not only from the South-West but also connected to the Lagos axis suggests a deliberate ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of the polity,” said the forum’s chairman, Ibrahim Dandakata.

He spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at a press conference organised by the forum to register its dissatisfaction with the seemingly nepotistic appointments made by Mr Tinubu.

Mr Dandakata stated that the finance minister, Wale Edun, and acting governor of CBN, Folashodun Shonubi, are South-Westerners, but admitted that the duo was qualified for the positions.

He added, “The Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, is from the south-west and even the Chairman of Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Afolabi Salisu, and that of House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo, are also from the South-West.”

He explained that the North was left out in the finance and ICT sectors despite their role in ensuring the president’s victory during the general election.

“As a patriotic, refined statesman who won a credible national mandate on February 25, 2023, President Bola Tinubu has a duty to not only be fair to all parts of the country but also to be seen to be fair to all parts,” Mr Dandakata said.

Mr Dandakata also pointed out that the chief executive officers of some key government agencies who were previously Northerners were replaced with Lagosians by the the current administration.

“It is not too late for Mr President to turn the corner and do the needful in upcoming appointments and crucial decisions.

“We expect President Tinubu to be fair, just and equitable in his decisions not only because the Northerners overwhelmingly voted for him but because that is the right thing to do,” Mr Dandakata said.