The African Democratic Congress has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador, describing the move as “embarrassingly insensitive.” The nomination comes less than two years after Yakubu oversaw the 2023 presidential election, which brought Tinubu to power, and only weeks after his exit as INEC Chairman.
According to the ADC’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the appointment erodes public trust in the integrity and independence of Nigeria’s electoral institutions. Abdullahi argued that such a nomination may incentivize top electoral officials to act in ways favorable to ruling parties in hopes of securing political rewards after their tenure. This, he said, blurs the line between players and umpires in the electoral process.
The ADC spokesperson noted that the list of nominees includes mostly former career diplomats, political supporters, or members of the president’s party. He questioned which category Yakubu belongs to, stating that the implication is “deeply unsettling.” The development raises serious ethical questions, and the ADC has called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and democratic institutions to reject actions that undermine electoral credibility.
Yakubu’s nomination is part of a batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for approval. The list includes former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others. The presidency stated that the nominees are being considered for career and non-career ambassadorial posts, with confirmed nominees to receive their diplomatic postings after Senate approval.
As INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025, Yakubu introduced several reforms, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the Results Viewing Portal. He also institutionalized a system of continuous registration and updates of voter records. The ADC has urged Yakubu to reject his nomination in the interest of national trust and democratic integrity, and has called on the Senate to reject his nomination if he does not withdraw.
The nomination has significant implications for Nigeria’s electoral system and the credibility of future elections. The ADC’s criticism highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the appointment of electoral officials and the importance of maintaining the independence of institutions. As the Senate considers the nominees, the outcome will be closely watched by Nigerians and the international community.