ADC condemns ex-INEC chair’s ambassadorial nomination

The African Democratic Congress on Sunday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador, describing the move as a national embarrassment.

Yakubu, who left office only weeks ago after completing his 10-year tenure, was named among the 32 ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate on Saturday.

His inclusion has reignited public criticism of the 2023 presidential election, particularly the failure of real-time transmission of results.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said appointing Yakubu so soon after stepping down from the electoral umpire “further erodes public trust” in the neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“This particular appointment of Prof. Yakubu blurs what should be a distinct line between players and umpires,” Abdullahi said.

“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 political rewards.

“Once that mindset enters the bloodstream of our electoral system, neutrality becomes impossible, partisanship becomes inevitable, and elections become transactional.”

Abdullahi noted that the nominees are mainly former diplomats, political allies or associates of the President, wondering in which of the three categories Yakubu fell.

“A cursory review of the list shows that almost all the nominees fall into three categories: former career diplomats or ambassadors, political supporters or their relatives, and members of the President’s political party. We wonder in which of these three categories Prof. Yakubu belongs,” he added.

The ADC said the development raises “serious ethical questions” and urged civil society groups and democratic institutions to speak out. It also called on Yakubu to reject the nomination in the interest of national trust.

“We therefore urge Prof. Yakubu to do the patriotic thing and decline this appointment for the sake of INEC’s institutional credibility, the integrity of future elections and the preservation of his own legacy. Should he fail to do so, we call on the Senate to reject his nomination,” Abdullahi said.

Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman from 2015 to 2025, is credited with reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the INEC Results Viewing Portal and the expansion of continuous voter registration.

Other nominees include former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode and ex-Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The Presidency said the nominees comprise career and non-career candidates and will undergo Senate screening and confirmation.