The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a strong critique against President Bola Tinubu's decision to nominate the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for an ambassadorial role. The party labels the move as a severe threat to Nigeria's democratic foundations.
A Controversial Nomination
In a statement released on Sunday, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the nomination as "embarrassingly insensitive." He emphasized that the timing is highly contentious, coming less than two years after Professor Yakubu oversaw the 2023 presidential election that ushered President Tinubu into power and only a few weeks after his departure from INEC.
Abdullahi argued that this appointment dangerously blurs the critical line that should separate electoral umpires from political players. "If allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent where future INEC chairmen and commissioners may begin to see their positions as stepping stones to future political rewards," he stated. The fear is that this could embed a mindset of partisanship into the electoral system, making neutrality impossible and transforming elections into transactional events.
Threat to Public Trust and Institutional Integrity
The ADC expressed deep concern that the nomination reinforces a damaging public perception. It suggests that top electoral officials could be incentivized to act favorably towards the ruling party in expectation of lucrative appointments later in their careers.
Analyzing the broader list of 32 ambassadorial nominees, Abdullahi pointed out that most fall into three categories: former career diplomats, political supporters or their relatives, and members of the president's party. "We wonder in which of these three categories Prof. Yakubu belongs. The implication of this is deeply unsettling indeed," he added, questioning the ethical underpinnings of the selection.
The party has urgently called on Professor Yakubu to decline the appointment to safeguard INEC's credibility, protect the integrity of future elections, and preserve his own legacy. Should he refuse, the ADC has demanded that the Senate reject his nomination to protect the nation's democracy.
Yakubu's Legacy and the Road Ahead
Professor Mahmood Yakubu served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025, appointed originally by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His tenure was marked by significant technological advancements, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification and the Results Viewing Portal (IReV) for public access to polling unit results. He also institutionalized the continuous registration of voters, moving away from the old system of registration only before elections.
Despite these reforms, the ADC has broadly characterized the ambassadorial list as "a settlement list of political IOUs," raising serious ethical questions about the independence of Nigeria's electoral system. The party is now urging civil society organizations and other democratic institutions to stand against appointments that could erode public confidence in electoral governance.
In a separate but related announcement, INEC has scheduled the election for the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for February 21, 2026. Other notable figures on the ambassadorial nominee list include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Presidency has clarified that these nominees are being considered for both career and non-career postings, with their appointments contingent upon Senate approval.
