PDP faults Tinubu’s ambassadorial list, demands withdrawal

The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the list of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, describing the selections as “reprehensible and scandalous.”

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the President sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after submitting the first batch of three names.

Among the nominees are a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and others.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Saturday, the PDP said the list includes individuals perceived negatively by Nigerians and the international community due to “integrity deficits and notable anti-democratic activities.”

The statement reads, “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 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 PDP specifically criticised the nomination of the immediate past INEC Chairman.

“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 statement read.

The party demanded that Tinubu withdraw the current list and renominate individuals with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing, capable of commanding global respect” for their ambassadorial assignments.

“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 PDP said, stressing that the respect a country commands internationally is tied to the integrity of its ambassadors and leadership.