The Kabiru Turaki- led Peoples Democratic Party has strongly condemned the list of Ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu asking the President to withdraw the said list and renominate only those with better democratic credentials and high moral standing, capable of commanding global respect for the Ambassadorial assignments.
The information contained in a statement by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong also says the list contains the names of many people which it describes as disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians and public officials who are widely perceived negatively by Nigerians and the global community for their integrity deficit and notable anti-democratic activities.
The Party emphasizes that it specifically conveys the disappointment of many right-thinking Nigerians on the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate-past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose administration it says was characterised by countless double-speaks, flip-flops, and undelivered promises which ultimately resulted in the birth of the Tinubu’s administration that is struggling in all areas of governance.
The PDP says to offer Mahmood Yakubu an ambassadorial appointment at a time like this, is an excellent example of a skewed reward system which it suspects is designed as an incentive to the new INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan to also deliver flawed elections in 2027, in expectation of future rewards. The Party adds that the move is absolutely scandalous and completely unacceptable.
The PDP says the development is not just a sad commentary on Nigeria’s history of diplomatic representation; it is very reprehensible and scandalous.
The Statement explained that while most Nigerians are seriously appalled by the inclusion of most of the nominees, they are not totally surprised, given the history and disposition of the Tinubu led Government as it is an incontestable fact that a nominee is a clear and direct reflection of the values and estimation of the nominator.
The Statement explains further that by making these nominations, President Tinubu has shown Nigerians that these are the best people he has to represent our Nigeria in the countries where they will be posted even as it took the President almost three years to produce the list, speaks to the paucity of excellent people within his reach.
The PDP explains 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.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
