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ADC criticizes Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominations, calling them political rewards rather than efforts to strengthen foreign relations.
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Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s nomination draws ethical concerns, as ADC fears it undermines INEC’s credibility following the disputed 2023 elections.
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Party urges Yakubu to reject nomination and calls on the Senate to block approval to preserve public trust in elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new ambassadorial nominations, describing the appointments as a political reward scheme rather than a serious effort to rebuild Nigeria’s damaged foreign relations.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concerns over the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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The ADC said the move raises serious ethical questions and could further erode public trust in an electoral body still grappling with credibility issues.
The party highlighted that Yakubu supervised the highly disputed 2023 election that produced President Tinubu and left INEC in a “major credibility crisis.”
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ADC described his appointment as “embarrassingly insensitive” and warned that allowing it to stand could blur the line between election administrators and political beneficiaries.
According to the party, the ambassadorial list largely comprises three categories: former career diplomats, political supporters and their relatives, and members of the president’s party.
ADC questioned which category Yakubu belongs to and warned that the nomination sets a dangerous precedent for future INEC chairmen and commissioners.
While acknowledging that no law bars Yakubu from accepting the role, the ADC stressed that ethical standards must be upheld to protect democratic principles.
The party called on Yakubu to reject the nomination for the sake of INEC’s credibility, the integrity of future elections, and his legacy. It further urged the Senate to reject the nomination if he does not decline.
