PDP demands withdrawal of Tinubu’s ambassadorial list, rejects Yakubu’s nomination
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the recently released list of ambassadorial nominees, raising strong objections to the inclusion of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement on Saturday by the PDP spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the party described the list of 32 nominees as “scandalous,” insisting that the nomination of Yakubu was particularly troubling.
“Specifically, we convey the disappointment of many right-thinking Nigerians over the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of INEC, whose tenure was characterised by double-speak, policy flip-flops, and unmet promises, culminating in the emergence of this administration, which is struggling in all areas of governance,” the PDP said.
“To offer him an ambassadorial appointment at a time like this is a clear example of a skewed reward system. We strongly suspect it is intended as an incentive to the new INEC Chairman to deliver another flawed election in 2027 in anticipation of similar rewards. This is absolutely scandalous and completely unacceptable.”
The party further criticised the ambassadorial list, claiming it featured several “disgraced propagandists, character-deficient politicians, and public officials widely viewed negatively by Nigerians and the international community for their integrity deficits and anti-democratic conduct.”
The PDP described the development as a “sad commentary” on Nigeria’s diplomatic representation.
“It is very reprehensible and scandalous,” the statement continued. “By making these nominations, the President has shown Nigerians that these are the best people he has to represent our country abroad. The fact that it took the President almost three years to produce this list speaks to the paucity of excellent people within his reach.”
President Tinubu had earlier on Saturday forwarded the list of 32 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
