The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has criticised some of the individuals President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted to the Senate for ambassadorial confirmation, describing several names as “shocking.”
In a post on X, Obi expressed disappointment over the list, stressing that some nominees raised serious concerns.
“Yes, some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking. But with a leadership that has allowed mediocrity, corruption, and impunity to rise to the top, who else did you expect them to choose?” he wrote.
The former Anambra State governor also pointed to the economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians.
“When our people are being killed, our leaders are busy hosting dinners. When children are being snatched from their schools, the political class is celebrating and dancing,” he added.
“When families cannot afford their next meal, those in power are welcoming defectors and exchanging gifts as though Nigeria is not burning.
“This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve.”
Beyond Obi’s remarks, several Nigerians have raised similar concerns about some of the names on Tinubu’s ambassadorial list.
A former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, also questioned the list, criticising the suitability of certain nominees who he said should not be part of the diplomatic service “by any standard”.
In contrast, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, defended the selections, describing the nominees as the best suited for the administration’s objectives.
Oshodi pushed back against the criticism, insisting that the President has the authority to appoint individuals he believes can support his agenda and contribute to national progress.
President Tinubu submitted a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29, coming a week after an earlier list of three nominees.
Among the nominees are Reno Omokri, former presidential aide; Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation minister; Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia State governor; and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Enugu State governor.
Other nominees include Ondo Senator and businessman Jimoh Ibrahim; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; and former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent.
The President has already forwarded all the names to the Senate for confirmation.
What you should know
Peter Obi’s reaction deepens public scrutiny of President Tinubu’s ambassadorial list, which contains several political heavyweights and controversial figures.
While critics argue that some nominees lack suitability for diplomatic service, the Presidency maintains that the selections reflect competence and alignment with the administration’s goals.
