Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday condemned any move to appoint the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to an ambassadorial position, describing such a decision as “morally indefensible” and damaging to the credibility of the current administration.
Atiku, in a statement posted on his X handle, said he would “under no circumstance” nominate the former INEC boss for such an office if he were President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He warned that the alleged plan sends the wrong signal to the public and to the current leadership of the electoral body, suggesting that “partisan, compromised, or poorly executed elections may ultimately be rewarded.”
“Such a nomination raises serious concerns. It risks appearing as a quid pro quo rather than a recognition of merit. It presents terrible optics for an administration already struggling with credibility,” Atiku stated.
He argued that it would be inappropriate for an individual who presided over what he described as one of the most disputed elections in Nigeria’s history to receive benefits from its outcome.
“This is not the path to strengthening our democracy or restoring public trust in our institutions,” he added.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to act in ways that enhance confidence in democratic processes rather than undermine them.
Ikengaonline had reported that the name of the immediate past INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, was on the list recently sent to the National Assembly by President Tinubu for ambassadorial screening.
