The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the newly released list of ambassadorial nominees submitted to the Senate, describing the names as a collection of “failed propagandists, characterless politicians, and public officials with serious integrity deficits.”
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the opposition party demanded that President Tinubu immediately withdraw the list and replace it with individuals who possess “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing capable of attracting global respect.”
According to the PDP, the list represents “a sad commentary on Nigeria’s diplomatic history” and reflects poorly on the values of the administration that compiled it.
“This list contains the names of many people who are widely perceived negatively by Nigerians and the international community for their notable anti-democratic activities. It is utterly reprehensible and scandalous,” the statement said.
The PDP argued that while Nigerians are unsurprised by the quality of the nominees—given the “history and disposition” of the current administration—they remain deeply disappointed that the President could forward such representations after almost three years in office.
“It took the President nearly three years to produce this list. That alone speaks to the paucity of excellent people within his reach,” the statement added.
PDP Faults Nomination of Ex-INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu
One of the most controversial names on the list is that of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose tenure the PDP described as “fraught with double-speaks, flip-flops, undelivered promises, and the electoral failures that birthed this struggling administration.”
The opposition warned that appointing Yakubu as an ambassador at this time “sends the wrong signal” and could serve as an incentive for the current INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to replicate the alleged failures of 2023 ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Rewarding Yakubu now is a skewed and scandalous reward system. We suspect it is designed to influence the conduct of future elections. This is completely unacceptable,” the statement noted.
“Diplomatic Disaster in the Making” — PDP Warns
The party stressed that a nation’s international respect is closely tied to the integrity of its President and its envoys, warning that sending “tainted individuals with damaged public perception” abroad would further harm Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
“This is not only a disservice to Nigeria but a recipe for a diplomatic all-time low,” the PDP cautioned.
PDP’s Demand
The opposition party concluded by calling on President Tinubu to:
- Withdraw the entire list immediately, and
- Submit a fresh set of nominees with unquestionable character, democratic values, and nationwide respect.
- “Only Nigerians of high moral standing should be allowed to represent the country at the global stage,” the party insisted.
