Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the nomination of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for an ambassadorial position.
Atiku, who was a major contender in the 2023 presidential election, described the potential appointment as “morally indefensible” and vowed that under no circumstance would he, as President, make such a nomination.
Atiku made the critique on Thursday on his verified Facebook account, as statement seen as a direct critique of President Bola Tinubu’s recent ambassadorial nominees. The ex INEC Chair, Prof Mahmood left office in October. He was among second batch of ambassadorial nominees announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu this week.
Atiku argued that rewarding the former electoral umpire would severely damage Nigeria’s democracy.
“Such a nomination raises serious concerns. It risks appearing as a quid pro quo rather than a recognition of merit. It presents terrible optics for an administration already struggling with credibility”, Atiku stated.
He warned that the move would send a corrosive signal to democratic institutions. “It sends the wrong message to the current INEC leadership; that partisan, compromised, or poorly executed elections may ultimately be rewarded.”
Focusing on the contentious 2023 polls, which he and other candidates have challenged in court, Atiku framed the issue as a fundamental matter of principle.
“And most importantly, it is morally indefensible for an umpire at the centre of one of the most disputed elections in our history to become a beneficiary of its outcome,” he asserted.
Concluding his critique, Atiku said: “This is not the path to strengthening our democracy or restoring public trust in our institutions.”
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