By Abiola Olawale
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inclusion of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his list of ambassadorial nominees, labeling the decision as both “embarrassing and insensitive.”
The nomination was part of a list of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation on Saturday.
Reacting to the nomination, ADC, in a statement issued by its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, said the appointment was particularly troubling, coming less than two years after Yakubu oversaw what he called a “highly controversial election” that brought Tinubu to power, and only weeks after his exit as INEC Chairman.
Abdullahi argued that such an appointment further erodes public trust in the integrity and independence of Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
According to him, the nomination reinforces concerns that top electoral officials may feel incentivised to act in ways favourable to ruling parties in hopes of securing political rewards after their tenure.
“This particular appointment of Prof. Yakubu blurs what should be a distinct line between players and umpires.
“If allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent where future INEC chairmen and commissioners may begin to see their positions as stepping stones to future political rewards.
“Once that mindset enters the bloodstream of our electoral system, neutrality becomes impossible, partisanship becomes inevitable, and elections become transactional,” he said.
Abdullahi added, “A cursory review of the list would show that almost all the nominees fall into three categories: former career diplomats or ambassadors, political supporters or their relatives, and members of the president’s political party.
“We wonder in which of these three categories Prof. Yakubu belongs. The implication of this is deeply unsettling indeed.”
He said the development raises “serious ethical questions” and called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and democratic institutions to reject actions that undermine electoral credibility.
He urged Yakubu to reject his nomination in the interest of national trust and democratic integrity.
“We therefore call on Prof. Yakubu to do the patriotic thing and reject this appointment for the sake of INEC’s institutional credibility, the integrity of future elections, and the preservation of his own legacy.
“Failing to do so, we call on the Senate to reject his nomination in the interest of our democracy,” the statement added.
The New Diplomat reports that Yakubu is part of a batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees sent by Tinubu to the Senate on Saturday.
The list includes a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
The presidency stated that the nominees are being considered for both career and non-career ambassadorial posts, with confirmed nominees to receive their diplomatic postings after Senate approval.
