The nation has once again been drawn into heated discourse this time over the alleged lopsidedness in President Bola A. Tinubu’s administration and the implications such imbalances may have on the upcoming national population census and the 2027 presidential election.

The first major outcry came from Sen. Ali Ndume, representing Borno East Senatorial District, who publicly accused President Tinubu of favoritism in his federal appointments. According to Ndume, the President has consistently favored individuals from the Southwest, creating a glaring imbalance in the composition of key government positions. His remarks sparked widespread public reaction and ignited a national debate on equity, inclusion, and the structure of power within the current administration.

Further compounding the controversy, Sahara Reporters revealed that the Chief of Staff to the President had inaugurated an eight-member committee to review the strategic framework for the upcoming population census. According to the report, six of the committee members hail from the Southwest, while the remaining two come from the Northwest and North Central. The South East and South South regions were notably excluded. Although the Presidency later issued a statement asserting that the committee reflected representation from relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, many critics remained unconvinced, viewing the composition as yet another example of deliberate regional bias.

In northern political circles, suspicions have begun to mount. Some argue that the administration is positioning itself to manipulate the census in a way that diminishes the North’s population figures thereby dismantling the long-held notion of northern demographic dominance. Such an outcome, they contend, would not only reduce the number of electoral constituencies in the region but also weaken its political influence in future elections. In their view, this is part of a calculated strategy to undermine the North’s leverage and force it into accepting President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

Others interpret this differently. They believe the upcoming census is central to redrawing the political map of Nigeria, especially in terms of constituency delineation. If the figures favour southern regions, it could significantly diminish the North’s historical advantage in national elections altering the power dynamics ahead of 2027.

These permutations underscore a growing belief that the Tinubu administration is more preoccupied with the politics of re-election than with the core responsibilities of governance. The urgency to secure 2027 appears to overshadow the pressing need to deliver credible leadership, rebuild public institutions, and restore public trust.

Meanwhile, efforts to consolidate power have not gone unnoticed. The growing momentum of a proposed opposition coalition has reportedly triggered fears within the ruling party. In response, opposition governors are allegedly being pressured and intimidated to deter them from aligning with the coalition an attempt to ensure it crumbles before it gains full traction.

To manage internal discontent within the ruling party, a narrative has emerged: that over 7,000 federal appointments remain unfilled and will be used to correct the current imbalances in the administration. This promise seems less about equitable governance and more about pacifying party loyalists and preventing further defections.

Ultimately, the current trajectory raises serious questions. Is the Tinubu administration committed to delivering transformative governance, or is it merely laying the groundwork for political survival? The 2027 elections are still two years away, but the groundwork being laid today will determine whether Nigeria moves forward as a united, inclusive nation or fractures further under the weight of power plays and exclusionary politics.