Atiku Rejects Nomination, Warns of Damaging Optics

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to nominate immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, for an ambassadorial post. The nomination, submitted to the Senate on November 29, has triggered public debate due to the proximity of Yakubu’s exit from office and his central role in the 2023 general elections that brought Tinubu to power.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Thursday, Atiku made it clear that he would never consider such an appointment if he were President Tinubu. According to Atiku , nominating a just-departed electoral umpire risks eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. “Let me state without ambiguity: under no circumstance would I, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nominate the immediate past INEC Chairman for an ambassadorial position,” he wrote.

Atiku argued that Yakubu’s nomination sends troubling signals to Nigerians, particularly as the administration continues to face questions about its commitment to electoral credibility. Atiku insisted that the move may be perceived as a reward for the conduct of a widely disputed election.

A Controversial Nomination and Its Implications

The list sent by President Tinubu contains 32 ambassadorial nominees, including 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career candidates. Alongside Yakubu are notable figures such as former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, making the lineup one of the most talked-about submissions in recent years.

However, Yakubu’s inclusion stands out due to the sensitive nature of his former role. His tenure at INEC ended only weeks ago, and he was responsible for overseeing the 2023 elections—exercises that attracted significant criticism, litigation, and public dissatisfaction. Many observers argue that appointing him to a high-level diplomatic position so soon after leaving electoral office risks undermining institutional independence.

Atiku echoed these concerns, stating that such decisions may encourage a culture in which electoral officials are rewarded for actions perceived as partisan or inadequate. Atiku warned that this sets a dangerous precedent for INEC’s current leadership, potentially compromising its impartiality in future elections.

Atiku Concerns Over Credibility and Democratic Institutions

The former Vice President Atiku noted that Nigeria is at a critical moment where public trust in democratic institutions must not only be protected but actively restored. In his view, Yakubu’s nomination threatens those efforts, especially as disputes surrounding the 2023 polls remain fresh in public memory.

Atiku further argued that the nomination “presents terrible optics for an administration already struggling with credibility,” adding that such appointments might reinforce suspicions that election outcomes can be tied to personal rewards. Atiku concluded that it is “morally indefensible” for an electoral umpire at the centre of a contentious election to directly benefit from its outcome.

The debate over Yakubu’s nomination is expected to intensify as the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings in the coming weeks.