The Peoples Democratic Party has criticized the ambassadorial nominees recently forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, describing the list as containing “characterless politicians and public officials” whose reputations, it said, are viewed negatively both within Nigeria and internationally due to “integrity deficit and notable anti-democratic activities.”
In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday and titled “Ambassadorial list: Scandalous and reflective of presidential values,” the PDP said the nominations represent “a sad commentary on our country’s history of diplomatic representation” and labeled the development “very reprehensible and scandalous.”
The party’s spokesperson, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said Nigerians were deeply displeased with many of the individuals selected, although the choices were not entirely surprising “given the history and disposition of this administration.”
“Furthermore, it is an incontestable fact that a nominee is a clear and direct reflection of the values and estimation of the nominator. By making these nominations, the President has shown Nigerians that these are the best people he has to represent our country in the countries where they will be posted,” the statement read.
“That it took the President almost three years to produce this list speaks to the paucity of excellent people within his reach.”
The PDP singled out the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing him of presiding over an era defined by “countless double-speaks, flip-flops, and undelivered promises,” which it linked to the emergence of the current administration.
“To offer him an ambassadorial appointment at a time like this is an excellent exemplar of a skewed reward system, which we suspect is designed as an incentive to the new INEC Chairman, to also deliver flawed elections in 2027, in expectation of future rewards. This is absolutely scandalous and completely unacceptable.”
The party further cautioned that Nigeria’s diplomatic reputation is directly tied to the perceived integrity of both its President and its representatives abroad.
“May we remind the President and all Nigerians that the respect a country gets from other countries cannot be separated from the integrity profile and public perception of both the President and the Ambassadors. So, appointing and sending ambassadors with tainted political profiles is not only a great disservice to Nigeria but a setup for a diplomatic all-time low,” the statement added.
The PDP urged President Tinubu to withdraw the list and put forward nominees with strong democratic credentials and unquestionable moral standing, insisting such individuals are necessary to uphold and enhance Nigeria’s global image.
