The African Democratic Congress has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent ambassadorial nominations, stating that the list appears to be a political reward scheme rather than a genuine effort to improve Nigeria’s foreign relations. In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concerns over the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The party believes that Yakubu’s appointment raises ethical concerns and undermines the electoral body’s credibility, which is still recovering from the disputed 2023 election.

The African Democratic Congress argued that Yakubu’s supervision of the 2023 election, which produced President Tinubu, has led to allegations of bias and undermined public trust in the electoral commission. The party described the nomination as ill-timed and damaging, stating that it would lend credence to the widespread allegation that Yakubu may not have been a neutral umpire during the election. The ADC emphasized that Nigeria needs a credible diplomatic corps to rebuild its international reputation, but the current nominations fall short of this goal.

The party questioned the categorization of Yakubu among the nominees, who mostly consist of former diplomats, political supporters, and relatives of political associates. While acknowledging that there is no law barring Yakubu from taking the job, the ADC stressed the importance of upholding ethical standards to protect the integrity of future elections and the democratic process. The party urged Yakubu to reject the nomination to preserve his legacy and maintain INEC’s institutional credibility. If he declines to do so, the ADC called on the Senate to reject his nomination to safeguard public trust in the electoral process.

The controversy surrounding Yakubu’s nomination highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system and the need for transparency and accountability. The country’s foreign relations have been a subject of concern in recent years, and the latest nominations have sparked debate about the government’s priorities and commitment to improving its international reputation. As the Senate prepares to review the nominations, the outcome will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, to assess the government’s ability to address the concerns raised by the African Democratic Congress and other stakeholders.