The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has publicly denounced President Bola Tinubu's list of ambassadorial nominees, labeling some of the selections as "shocking."
Obi's strong condemnation was made in an X post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shortly after President Tinubu submitted a list of 32 nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The latest list, which followed an initial batch, includes several high-profile and controversial political figures.
"Yes, some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking," Obi wrote.
He linked the controversial appointments to the quality of governance under the current administration.
"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 added
The list, submitted by the president, includes several former political allies and figures who have attracted public scrutiny.
Among the names forwarded to the Senate are:
Reno Omokri, former Special Assistant to a previous administration.
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister.
Mahmood Yakubu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State.
The nominations, particularly that of former INEC Chairman Yakubu, have drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who question the rationale of offering a high-profile diplomatic role to the official who oversaw the country's most recent contentious elections.
Obi used the criticism of the ambassadorial list to pivot to the widespread economic suffering in the country, arguing that the leadership was disconnected from the plight 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," Obi stated, reflecting on Nigeria's worsening security and economic crisis.
He added that the severe hardship means "families cannot afford their next meal," while those in power are preoccupied with "welcoming defectors and exchanging gifts as though Nigeria is not burning."
Obi concluded by stressing that the current situation "is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve."
The Senate is expected to begin the screening and confirmation process for the ambassadorial nominees this week, a process that is likely to be heavily scrutinized following the backlash from opposition figures like Obi.
