ADC Faults Tinubu for Nominating Ex-INEC Chair Yakubu as Ambassador

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over his decision to nominate former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for an ambassadorial position a move the party describes as “embarrassingly insensitive.”

In a statement on Sunday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the appointment couldn’t have come at a more questionable moment. Yakubu had only just completed his tenure at INEC a few weeks earlier and had presided over the highly disputed 2023 elections that brought the current administration to power.

Yakubu, who first became INEC chairman in 2015 under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, stepped down in October 2025. His immediate nomination by President Tinubu, Abdullahi argued, sends a troubling signal about the independence of the country’s electoral body.

According to the ADC, elevating a recently retired INEC chairman to such a political role could make future electoral officials believe they stand to gain political rewards from those in power. Abdullahi warned that this could “blur the line between the umpire and the players,” and ultimately damage public trust in the electoral process.

He added that a quick look at the full list of nominees suggested they were mostly former diplomats, political loyalists, or associates of the ruling party raising further questions about where Yakubu fits in.

Describing the situation as ethically disturbing, the ADC urged Nigerians, civil society organisations, and democratic institutions to speak up against actions that could compromise election credibility. The party also appealed directly to Yakubu to decline the appointment for the sake of the country and his own legacy.

“If he chooses not to, then the Senate should reject his nomination in the interest of our democracy,” Abdullahi said.

Yakubu’s nomination was part of a second batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.