The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly disapproved of President Bola Tinubu’s list of ambassadorial nominees, calling the selections “reprehensible and scandalous.” The party argues that the list includes individuals with perceived integrity deficits and a history of anti‑democratic activities, which tarnish Nigeria’s diplomatic representation.
President Tinubu recently forwarded the names of 32 ambassadorial candidates to the Senate for confirmation, just days after submitting an initial batch of three. Among the nominees are former Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani‑Kayode. In a statement, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong said the list features individuals viewed negatively by both Nigerians and the international community, reflecting the President’s values and judgment.
The PDP specifically condemned the nomination of the immediate past INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, describing it as an “excellent exemplar of a skewed reward system.” The party suggested the appointment could be intended to incentivize the new INEC chairman to deliver flawed elections in 2027 in anticipation of future rewards.
Calling for the withdrawal of the current list, the PDP urged President Tinubu to renominate candidates with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing.” The party warned that appointing ambassadors with tainted political profiles would be a disservice to Nigeria, potentially leading to a diplomatic low point. According to the PDP, a country’s international respect is closely tied to the integrity of its ambassadors and leadership. This demand underscores the importance of diplomatic appointments in preserving Nigeria’s global reputation and is likely to spark further debate about their role in shaping the nation’s international relations.
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