The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as an ambassador, calling it “embarrassingly insensitive.”
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the appointment, coming weeks after Yakubu’s exit and less than two years after a “highly controversial election,” undermines public trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions. He warned it blurs the line between impartial election officials and political actors, setting a dangerous precedent where neutrality could be compromised for future rewards.
Abdullahi also questioned the ethics of ambassadorial appointments, noting that most nominees fall into three categories: career diplomats, political supporters or relatives, and ruling party members. He urged Yakubu to reject the nomination to preserve INEC’s credibility and called on the Senate to do the same if he accepts.
Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman from 2015 to 2025, introduced reforms like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, Results Viewing Portal, and continuous voter registration. He is among 32 ambassadorial nominees recently sent to the Senate, including Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
