The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally rejected the list of ambassadorial nominees recently forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The opposition party specifically criticized the nomination of Mahmood Yakubu, immediate-past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it raises serious questions about the values portrayed by the Tinubu administration.
President Tinubu submitted a total of 32 new ambassadorial nominees on Saturday, following an initial submission of three nominees. The list includes prominent figures such as Mahmood Yakubu, Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
In a statement signed by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party expressed concerns that many nominees are perceived negatively by Nigerians and the international community. The party accused the President of rewarding political loyalty rather than selecting the best hands for Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
“This development is not just a sad commentary on our country’s history of diplomatic representation; it is very reprehensible and scandalous,” the PDP said.
The party further condemned the nomination of Mahmood Yakubu, highlighting alleged failures during his tenure as INEC Chairman:
“Specifically, we convey the disappointment of many right-thinking Nigerians on the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose administration of our electoral umpire was characterised by countless double-speaks, flip-flops, and undelivered promises, ultimately resulting in the birth of this administration,” the statement read.
The PDP warned that appointing ambassadors with tainted political profiles could harm Nigeria’s international image, calling for nominees with stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing who can command global respect.
“To offer him an ambassadorial appointment at a time like this is an excellent exemplar of a skewed reward system… This is absolutely scandalous and completely unacceptable,” the party added.
The opposition has urged President Tinubu to withdraw the list immediately, insisting that Nigeria has qualified individuals capable of representing the country abroad with integrity.
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