According to a report by Punch Newspaper back home in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has just picked his ambassadorial nominees, including Femi Pedro, about two years after assuming office.
By Abanikanda Olumoro, UK
This is a welcome development that the world’s most populous black nation can now have its representatives in countries globally for ease of international relations.
While the President, in his wisdom, picked ambassadorial nominees representing their respective states in the country, he still erroneously picked again this time a non-indigene, Femi Pedro, who – to the best of my knowledge – is not from Lagos State.
This, in all honesty, is unjust and unfair to the people of Lagos State and such nomination, in the interest of justice, should be dropped from being considered for confirmation.
Femi Pedro cannot represent Lagos State. The fact that he once served as Deputy Governor of Lagos State cannot be a justification for this new ambassadorial appointment because his becoming Deputy Governor was circumstantial.
It is now becoming clearer that Mr. President prefers Yoruba South West who are not indigenes to occupy positions that should constitutionally go to the indigenes. The indigenes are feeling the impact of the domination by other South West states’ indigenes, and they are not happy.
There are many qualified Lagos State indigenes who are also members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that could fit into the Ambassadorial slot to fill the position.
Pedro is a resident of Lagos State, but he is from Ogun State by origin. Both the Department of State Services (DSS) and Federal Government as well as National Assembly, if they truly are there for the people, must ensure that only true indigene of the state be considered as Ambassador to fill the vacant post.
Otunba Femi Pedro, by my findings, often said on a Lagos State prominent persons platform in his usual condescending manner and I wish to quote his common refrain, “Awon wo l’omo Eko…Melo tie niwon? (meaning: “Who are the indigenes…How many are they?) Unfortunately, this statement, coming from such an important individual who has immensely benefited from Lagos State, eminently shows that he is not an indigene and a good friend of the state.
Otunba Femi Pedro, undoubtedly, is an Ijebu from Ogun State.
Also, Otunba Femi Pedro often miscalculates his political narratives against Lagos State indigenes from whom he became known and made his wealth.
In this wise, he is advised to stop biting the finger that feeds him. That is taking the hospitality of Lagos State indigenes for granted.
*Olumoro is a public affairs analyst and a Nigerian in the Diaspora
Headline: “Controversy Surrounds Femi Pedro’s Nomination as Lagos State Ambassadorial Representative”
Story:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent ambassadorial nominations have sparked debate, particularly regarding the inclusion of former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro, as the representative for Lagos State. Critics argue that Pedro, who is originally from Ogun State, is not an indigene of Lagos and therefore should not represent the state in this capacity.
Abanikanda Olumoro, a public affairs analyst based in the UK, expressed concerns about the fairness of Pedro’s nomination. He emphasized that Lagos State has many qualified indigenes within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who could fill the position. Olumoro further questioned Pedro’s eligibility, citing his circumstantial rise to the deputy governorship as insufficient justification for this appointment.
The controversy highlights broader concerns about representation and equity in political appointments. Many Lagos indigenes feel overlooked in favor of non-indigenes from other South-West states, a trend Olumoro claims is causing discontent among locals.
Pedro’s critics also point to past remarks allegedly made by him, which they interpret as dismissive of Lagos indigenes. They argue that such statements reflect a lack of connection to the state he is nominated to represent.
As President Tinubu’s ambassadorial list awaits Senate confirmation, calls for reconsideration of Pedro’s nomination are growing. Stakeholders urge the Federal Government and relevant authorities to ensure that ambassadorial appointments align with constitutional provisions and reflect true representation of each state.
