Former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged the National Assembly to rigorously screen the President’s newly submitted ambassadorial nominees, citing concerns over integrity and fairness for several names on the list.
He made the call during Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Criticising the timing and regional distribution, the former Northern Elders Forum spokesman warned against prioritising favouritism over merit and federal character.
“These ambassadors will serve barely 18 months—far too late,” he remarked, lamenting the delay amid Nigeria’s ongoing crises as a squandered opportunity.
Baba-Ahmed urged lawmakers to probe certain candidates’ backgrounds thoroughly. “The National Assembly must scrutinise them rigorously to uphold its duty,” he stressed.
He alleged skewed spread, urging greater equity to ensure public trust.
The two-year vacancy in diplomatic posts, he argued, inflicted severe damage, forcing Nigeria to forgo critical global engagements. “By the time these envoys settle in, the President may already be campaigning for re-election,” he observed.
Without naming individuals, Baba-Ahmed insisted on addressing unresolved allegations, including court cases, to bolster anti-corruption efforts.
He expressed surprise at Prof Mahmood Yakubu’s nomination, the ex-INEC Chairman, hoping it reflects due consideration given his controversial tenure.
The list—now 35 after adjustments for deceased or ineligible nominees—has sparked backlash from opposition parties like the PDP, ADC, and NNPP, who decry it as rewarding allies.
The APC rejects such claims as baseless. Delays stemmed from vetting issues and political complexities, with Tinubu citing earlier list revisions.
