The Peoples Democratic Party has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate withdrawal of his recently submitted list of ambassadorial nominees. The opposition party described the selections as deeply troubling and called for new nominees of higher moral character.
PDP's Strong Condemnation of Nominees
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, November 30, 2025, the PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, characterized the ambassadorial list as "scandalous" and "reprehensible." The party asserted that the nominations reflect poorly on the administration's core values and demanded that President Tinubu present a completely new list.
The PDP emphasized that Nigeria deserves ambassadors with "stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing" who can effectively represent the nation internationally. According to the opposition party, several individuals on the current list suffer from what it termed "integrity deficits" and have been involved in "anti-democratic activities" that make them unsuitable for diplomatic roles.
Controversial Nomination of Former INEC Chairman
One nomination that has drawn particular criticism is that of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The PDP highlighted that Yakubu's tenure at INEC was marked by numerous controversies and unfulfilled promises regarding election integrity.
The party directly linked the 2023 general elections conducted under Yakubu's leadership to what it described as the current administration's governance challenges. Offering him an ambassadorial position, the PDP argued, represents a "skewed reward system" that sends the wrong message to INEC's new leadership about the consequences of flawed elections.
The opposition party also noted that the three-year delay in producing the ambassadorial list demonstrates what it called the administration's "paucity of excellent people" suitable for important diplomatic positions.
Potential Damage to Nigeria's International Standing
The PDP warned that appointing ambassadors with questionable backgrounds could severely damage Nigeria's diplomatic reputation worldwide. The party stressed that the respect Nigeria receives from other nations depends significantly on the integrity and public perception of both the president and the country's ambassadors.
"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 statement emphasized. The party called for renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and merit in all federal appointments.
The PDP concluded by reiterating its demand for President Tinubu to withdraw the current list immediately and submit only nominees capable of commanding global respect and positively projecting Nigeria's image on the international stage.
