Uwazurike Criticizes Yakubu’s Inclusion In Tinubu’s Ambassadorial List

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu among his latest batch of ambassadorial nominees has drawn criticism from lawyer and public affairs analyst Goddy Uwazurike, who questioned the logic of the appointment during a live appearance on Friday.

Uwazurike argued that Yakubu’s presence on the list raises valid concerns about accountability, especially coming months after the tense political debates that followed the 2023 and 2024 electoral cycles. According to him, Nigerians expected a period of thorough evaluation of the former INEC boss’s stewardship, not an elevation to the diplomatic corps.

The nominee list, submitted to the Senate earlier in the week, contains 32 names, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Senate is expected to screen each nominee before confirmation. The presidency has said the list comprises both career and non-career candidates, with final postings to be determined after Senate approval.

A Controversial Appointment In A Sensitive Moment

While Yakubu completed a decade at the electoral body, serving from 2015 to 2025, Uwazurike said it is difficult to justify promoting him immediately after his tenure. He noted that the credibility tests that come with elections often leave the public sharply divided, and appointments of this nature tend to attract scrutiny, especially when the official involved presided over sensitive national processes.

Yakubu’s time at INEC was marked by several reforms, including the adoption of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal, both introduced to improve transparency at polling units and reduce human interference in result collation. His tenure also saw the institutionalization of continuous voter registration, replacing the old pattern of opening registration windows only before major elections.

Some Nominees On Tinubu’s Ambassadorial List Should Be In Prison — Joe Keshi

Uwazurike acknowledged these reforms but maintained that the weight of recent criticisms should have encouraged more caution. He insisted that the government should prioritise public perception and accountability when announcing appointments of former electoral chiefs, noting that the optics of rewarding such a figure so quickly may undermine citizens’ trust.

The lawyer also questioned the broader selection process, arguing that ambassadorial positions should reflect professionalism, diplomatic experience, and national representation rather than political balancing. He expressed hope that the Senate’s screening process would provide clarity on the criteria used to assemble the list and what roles the nominees are expected to play if confirmed.

Despite the controversy, the presidency has not issued any further explanation regarding Yakubu’s nomination, and the Senate is yet to release the screening schedule. For now, the debate continues as stakeholders assess whether the former INEC chairman’s transition into diplomatic service aligns with public expectations.