The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed strong disapproval of the list of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu. The party described the selections as “reprehensible and scandalous” due to the inclusion of individuals with perceived integrity deficits and notable anti-democratic activities.
President Tinubu recently sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, just days after submitting an initial batch of three names. The nominees include former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, as well as former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.
In a statement, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, emphasized that the list includes individuals who are viewed negatively by Nigerians and the international community. The party argued that the nominations reflect the values and estimation of the President, highlighting concerns about the country’s diplomatic representation.
The PDP specifically criticized the nomination of the immediate past INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, describing it as an “excellent exemplar of a skewed reward system.” The party suggested that this appointment may be designed to incentivize the new INEC Chairman to deliver flawed elections in 2027, in expectation of future rewards.
The party has called on President Tinubu to withdraw the current list and renominate individuals with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing” for the ambassadorial assignments. The PDP emphasized that appointing ambassadors with tainted political profiles would be a disservice to Nigeria and could lead to a diplomatic all-time low.
The respect a country commands internationally is closely tied to the integrity of its ambassadors and leadership, according to the PDP. As such, the party’s demand for the President to reconsider the nominations highlights the significance of diplomatic representation in maintaining a country’s global reputation. The development is likely to spark further debate about the role of diplomatic appointments in shaping Nigeria’s international relations.
