By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has come under public and political fire after being named among the 32 ambassadorial nominees submitted by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Senate.
The opposition party, PDP, issued a statement describing the list as scandalous and reflective of presidential values. The party accused the nominations of featuring disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians and public officials they say are widely viewed negatively in Nigeria and abroad because of “integrity deficits and notable anti democratic activities.
PDP singled out Yakubu’s nomination and recalled his tenure at INEC, stating it was characterised by countless double speaks, flip‑flops and undelivered promises. The party labeled his inclusion an excellent exemplar of a skewed reward system and demanded President Tinubu withdraw the list and resubmit only candidates with stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing.
In the same vein, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also condemned the list. He called it a reflection of a country that constantly rewards criminality and misdeeds. Effiong added; “Most of the names on President Tinubu’s list are career politicians who have failed to deliver in their previous roles, sycophants, and morally challenged individuals.”
He expressed particular concern over Yakubu’s inclusion, noting that Yakubu supervised a highly disputed and rigged election in 2023, and argued that no country has prospered through a shambolic, corrupt and discredited leadership recruitment process.
Civil‑society organisation CISLAC also joined the chorus of critics. CISLAC warned that the nominations undermine Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti corruption, and cautioned that appointing individuals under investigation or with contested public records could damage the country’s reputation abroad.
