ADC and HURIWA Criticizes Tinubu’s Ambassadorial List

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent ambassadorial nominations, calling the list a reward system for political allies rather than a serious diplomatic strategy.

The party expressed particular concern over the inclusion of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who oversaw the 2023 election that brought Tinubu to power.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Yakubu’s nomination could damage public trust in INEC, especially at a time when the commission is still facing credibility issues. The party urged Yakubu to reject the offer and called on the Senate to block the appointment to help restore faith in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The ADC said, “After waiting for more than two years, and with Nigeria’s diplomacy and global perception in historic tatters, President Bola Tinubu presents an outrageously underwhelming ambassadorial list that appears designed to settle his political IOUs rather than fix Nigeria’s urgent international relations crises.”

The party also criticized the overall composition of the list, describing it as filled with individuals linked to corruption and political favoritism, including relatives and close associates of key figures.

In a separate reaction, the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) also condemned the nominations. The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the president had spent over two years searching for candidates only to select people who lacked integrity and were known for political sycophancy.

HURIWA accused the administration of using ambassadorial roles as rewards for politicians who helped Tinubu’s campaign, including those who allegedly betrayed their own parties during the 2023 elections. The group specifically mentioned Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri, claiming they were compensated for ing Peter Obi and spreading misinformation.

The group said, “It was immoral and deable that President Tinubu has turned the ambassadorial positions as the jobs for the boys or as compensation for dubious politicians who sabotaged their own political party in the 2023 poll to advance the political interest of the current president.”

HURIWA also pointed out that Reno Omokri, once a vocal critic of Tinubu, had allegedly ced his stance after receiving financial incentives, becoming a full-time supporter of the president.

Both ADC and HURIWA believe the nominations send the wrong message about Nigeria’s commitment to credible governance and international diplomacy.