The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as an ambassador, describing the move as a “national embarrassment” that threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Yakubu, who concluded his 10-year tenure as INEC chairman only weeks ago, was included among 32 ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate on Saturday. The appointment has reignited public scrutiny of the 2023 presidential election and criticism of INEC’s failure to transmit results in real time.
In a statement on Sunday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi argued that Yakubu’s nomination “further erodes public trust” and undermines the neutrality expected of the electoral umpire.
“This appointment blurs the line between players and umpires. If allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent where future INEC chairmen and commissioners may see their positions as stepping stones to political rewards,” Abdullahi said.
He warned that such a mindset could compromise electoral neutrality, encourage partisanship, and reduce elections to transactional contests. Abdullahi also questioned the criteria for selecting the ambassadorial nominees, noting that most fall into three categories: former diplomats, political allies, or party associates of the President. He asked which category Prof. Yakubu belongs to.
The ADC urged civil society organisations and democratic institutions to speak out and called on Yakubu to decline the nomination to preserve INEC’s credibility, safeguard the integrity of future elections, and protect his personal legacy.
“We urge Prof. Yakubu to do the patriotic thing and reject this appointment. Should he fail to do so, we call on the Senate to reject his nomination,” Abdullahi stated.
Yakubu, who chaired INEC from 2015 to 2025, is credited with reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), and the expansion of continuous voter registration. Other notable nominees include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The Presidency maintains that the list includes both career and non-career diplomats and will undergo Senate screening and confirmation.
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