As with other moves of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the international community views Nigeria with sheer disdain due to the list of ambassadorial nominees which contains names of questionable and stained characters
By Edu Abade
After almost three years of assuming office without presenting ambassadorial posts, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration again steers controversy by the choice of some questionable characters he nominated recently to represent the country in her foreign missions.
The full list of the 68 ambassadors-designate appointed by the President include 34 career ambassadors, 31 non-career envoys and an earlier first batch of three nominees cleared by Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs including Ayodele Oke (Oyo State), Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun).
The 34 nominees are Ambassador Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka (Abia); Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa); Enpeji Monica Okochukwu (Anambra); Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele (Bauchi) Bayelsa: Endoni Sindup (Bayelsa)
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno); Ambassador Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael (Borno); Ambassador Clark Omeru Alexandra (Delta); Chima J. Leoma Davies (Ebonyi); Edo: Oduma Yvonne Ehinose; Edo: Wasa Shogun Ige; Ekiti: Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel; Enugu: Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley; Jigawa: Ambassador Magaji Umar; Kaduna: Ambassador Mohammed Saidu Dahiru; Kano: Ambassador Abdul Salam Abus Zayat and Katsina: Ambassador Shehu
Others in that category are Katsina: Ambassador Aminu Nasu; Kebbi: Abubakar Musa Musa; Kebbi: Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris; Kogi: Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar; Kwara: Ambassador Sulu Gambari; Lagos: Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle; Nasarawa: Ambassador Shaga John Shama; Niger: Salau Hamza Mohammed; Niger: Ambassador Ibrahim Dan Lamy; Ogun: Adjola Ibrahim Mopolola; Ondo: Ruben Abimbola Samuel; Osun: Ambassador Akonde Wahab Adekola; Oyo: Ambassador Ariwani Adedokun Esther; Plateau: Ambassador Gedagi Joseph John; Rivers: Ambassador Luther Obomode Ayokatata; Taraba: Danladi Yakubu Yaku and Zamfara: Bidu Dogondagi
The 31 Non-Career Ambassadors are, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia); Adamawa: Senator Grace Bent; Akwa Ibom: Senator Eta Enang; Anambra: Nkechi Linda Okocha; Bauchi: Mahmoud Yakubu; Bayelsa: Philip K. Ikurusi; Benue: Paul Olga Adiku; Cross River: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.); Delta: Reno Omokri; Edo: Abbasi Brahma; Ekiti: Erelu Angela Adebayo; Ekiti: Barrister Olumilua Oluwayemika; Enugu: Ugwanyi Ifeanyi; Imo: Mrs. Chioma Ohakim; Kano: Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.); Katsina: Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari; Kogi: Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliu; Lagos: Olufemi Pedro; Nasarawa: Barr. Mohammed Obanduma Aliu and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
Others are Ambassador Joseph Yusuf Shara’aji (Ondo); Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun); Ajimobi Fatima Florence (Oyo); Lola Akande (Oyo); Plateau: Yakubu N. Gambo; Plateau: Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut; Rivers: Onweze Chukwudi; Sokoto: Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar; Taraba: Jerry Samuel Manwe and Yobe: Adamu Garba Tarba-Nagri
The nomination of some of the names, have however, drawn a sharp criticism from Nigerians and the international community especially, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, who most see as very controversial figures who should not make the list in the first place due to their fierce criticism of the incumbent president in the recent past.
During a tense Senate session, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas created a stir as he defended a group of presidential nominees, including Renault and Alaji Abubakar Gamji, against procedural delays by some colleagues, notably Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
The session was filled with interruptions and heated exchanges over whether motions were properly seconded. Thomas emphasized that any motion without a second is considered dead under Senate rules, calling on the presiding Chairman to uphold order.
Speaking in support of Renault, Thomas highlighted his pragmatism and commitment to Nigeria’s national interest. He noted that past assumptions about the nominee should not cloud judgment, saying the young man had shown integrity and the ability to admit when he was wrong.
Thomas also commended Gamji, a long-time colleague and friend, for his competence and readiness to represent Nigeria abroad. He argued that all nominees with no petitions against them should be approved without further delay.
“This is about good governance and fairness,” Thomas said, urging that procedural disruptions by Adams and others not prevent qualified nominees from taking their rightful positions.
Omokri earlier said Igbo people were not needed in Nigeria and called Tinubu a drug baron, saying that he would not work with him under any condition.
Fani-Kayode on his part, verbally attacked or assaulted a journalist, while Mahmood Yakubu the Independent National Electoral Commission (INED) he headed, changed the rules of the 2023 presidential election halfway and allegedly switched off the server when Tinubu was seen to be losing the election, for which he announced the results at 2:00am.
During the Senate committee’s screening of ambassadorial nominees, tensions briefly rose as Senators Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole disagreed over procedure and control of the session. Despite the heated exchange, Oshiomhole used his speaking time to make a firm case in support of Omokri, explaining why he believes the Senate should support him.
Oshiomhole acknowledged that many people had heard different stories and formed various opinions about the nominee. However, he argued that it would be unfair to judge anyone solely on rumours or past disagreements. He described Reno as someone who is willing to learn, adjust, and act based on facts rather than emotions.
According to him, Omokri embodies the qualities of someone who can accept criticism, evaluate new information, and make necessary changes. He stressed that true leadership requires the ability to make decisions in the national interest, rather than clinging to old beliefs simply out of pride.
Oshiomhole noted that Reno has shown the capacity to admit when he may have previously misunderstood an issue and to adopt a better approach when presented with convincing evidence. He said this type of flexibility demonstrates maturity and a commitment to national development.
He concluded that the nominee has displayed responsibility and readiness for the role being considered. To him, Omokri’s openness to reviewing his stance when the facts demand it is a clear sign of a practical and open-minded leader, adding, “We cannot pretend we have not heard stories, for me, he’s a pragmatist.”
Reacting to the nominees, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the ambassadorial list President Tinubu sent to the Senate should be withdrawn because it is populated by people with “integrity deficit.”
The party also asked the President to re-nominate other Nigerians with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing, capable of commanding global respect for the ambassadorial assignments.”
In a statement issued at the weekend, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ime Emenobong, said, “The list contains the names of many people (disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians, and public officials) who are widely perceived negatively by Nigerians and the global community, for their integrity deficit and notable anti-democratic activities. This development is not just a sad commentary on our country’s history of diplomatic representation; it is very reprehensible and scandalous.”
“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.
“That it took the President almost three years to produce this list speaks to the paucity of excellent people within his reach.”
The party also expressed surprise at the inclusion of the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on the list.
Ememobong alleged that the appointment could serve as a means to induce incumbent INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to deliver flawed elections.
Specifically, we convey the disappointment of many right-thinking Nigerians on the nomination of Yakubu, whose administration as an electoral umpire was characterized by countless double-speaks, flip-flops and undelivered promises, which ultimately resulted in the birth of this administration, which is struggling in all areas of governance.”
“To give him an ambassadorial appointment at a time like this is an excellent example 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.
“May we remind the President and all Nigerians that the respect a country gets from other countries cannot be separated from the integrity profile and public perception of the President and the ambassadors. So, appointing ambassadors with tainted political profiles is not only a great disservice to Nigeria, but a huge setup for a diplomatic all-time low.
“To this end, we demand that President Tinubu should withdraw the list and re-nominate only those with stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing, capable of commanding global respect for the ambassadorial assignments.”
This list contains the names of many people (disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians, and public officials) who are widely perceived negatively by Nigerians and the global community, for their integrity deficit and notable anti-democratic activities.”
While describing the list as a sad commentary on the country’s history of diplomatic representation; PDP said” it is very reprehensible and scandalous.”
The opposition party said 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.
PDP also frowned on the fact that it took the President almost three years to produce the list, maintaining that it speaks to the “paucity of excellent people within his reach.”
