The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador, describing the move as a “national embarrassment” that undermines public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Yakubu, who stepped down only weeks ago after completing a 10-year tenure, was listed among 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, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that Yakubu’s appointment blurs the line between electoral umpires and political actors. “This particular appointment of Prof. Yakubu blurs what should be a distinct line between players and umpires,” Abdullahi said.
He cautioned that if the nomination is allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent. “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,” he added.
Abdullahi noted that most nominees fall into three categories, former diplomats, political allies, or members of the ruling party, and questioned where Yakubu fits. “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 said.
The ADC urged civil society groups and democratic institutions to speak out against the nomination and called on Yakubu to reject it 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 stated.
Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman from 2015 to 2025, is credited with introducing reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), and expanding continuous voter registration.
Other nominees include former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode and ex-Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Presidency said the list comprises both career and non-career candidates, who will undergo Senate screening and confirmation.
