An All Progressives Congress (APC) support group has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the performance, accessibility and grassroots engagement of his political appointees from Northern Nigeria, warning that public appointments must translate into effective service delivery and meaningful engagement with constituents.
The group, “APC Northern Youth & Women Tinubu/Shettima 2027, said some political appointees had allegedly become disconnected from their constituencies, party members and grassroots stakeholders after assuming public offices.
The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Idris Katsina, made the position known in a press conference, stressing that political appointments should be regarded as responsibilities to serve the people rather than personal privileges.
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He said the effectiveness of the Tinubu administration depended not only on the quality of its appointments but also on the commitment, accessibility and public impact of those entrusted with strategic responsibilities.
According to the group, some grassroots stakeholders have complained that individuals who were accessible before receiving appointments become difficult to reach after assuming office.
It urged the President to introduce a structured performance assessment system that would consider institutional achievements, responsiveness to constituents, stakeholder engagement, accountability and contributions to national development.
The group clarified that its demand was not for appointees to distribute government resources or use public offices for personal or partisan patronage, but to remain accessible to legitimate stakeholders, listen to their concerns and communicate government policies effectively.
It also urged political appointees to maintain constructive relationships with party members, community leaders and grassroots structures while respecting the professional and statutory responsibilities attached to their offices.
Kano Appointees Feature In Group’s Concerns
The group cited Kano State as an example of concerns surrounding constituency engagement, mentioning Aisha Garba and Dr Shamsudeen Usman in discussions about the public impact of appointments.
It stressed that mentioning the individuals did not amount to an allegation of wrongdoing, but reflected its call for greater accountability and assessment of the responsibilities associated with public office.
The group also drew attention to Dr Shamsudeen Usman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), arguing that office holders in strategic institutions should be assessed on their institutional performance, contributions to national development and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
It maintained that constituents and political stakeholders should be able to raise legitimate questions about accessibility and public impact without such concerns being interpreted as demands for personal favours.
Tinubu Urged To Listen To Grassroots Stakeholders
The APC support group called on Tinubu to obtain regular feedback from constituents, community leaders, professional organisations, party stakeholders and other relevant groups when evaluating the performance of his appointees.
It argued that professional competence alone might not be sufficient if an officeholder failed to communicate effectively or engage stakeholders connected to the office.
The group urged the administration to address cases of poor communication and inadequate engagement while recognising appointees who demonstrate effective leadership and measurable results.
It said public service should remain a continuing responsibility, insisting that political appointees should not wait until election periods before engaging the people.
Plans Three-Million-Man Solidarity Rally
In a related development, the group announced plans to organise a three-million-man solidarity rally across the 19 northern states to showcase the achievements of Tinubu’s administration and promote awareness of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the group, the proposed mobilisation would provide a platform for citizens and stakeholders to express their views on the administration’s achievements, challenges and priorities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It, however, acknowledged that sustained public support should be built on measurable performance, effective communication, accountability and tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
The group reaffirmed its support for the administration’s stated development objectives, while urging the President to ensure that political appointments strengthen the relationship between government and citizens.
It maintained that appointees should remain responsive to legitimate concerns, accessible to stakeholders and committed to the responsibilities entrusted to them.