Some of Tinubu’s ambassadorial picks shocking, reflect ‘mediocrity and impunity’ – Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, on Monday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s latest list of ambassadorial nominees, saying several of the selections were “shocking” and symptomatic of a leadership culture that rewards mediocrity.

Tinubu last week submitted the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, after forwarding three names earlier. The list includes former presidential aide Reno Omokri; Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; ex-aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

In a post on X, Obi said some of the nominees “leave much to be desired” and reflect deeper governance failures.

“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.

Obi also used the moment to highlight worsening economic conditions, saying millions of Nigerians are struggling while political leaders “host dinners” and celebrate defections.

“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 said. “This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve.”

The former Anambra governor described the country’s hardship as a “pain one carries silently,” recounting an encounter at Abuja airport where young Nigerians urged him to speak out on recent national crises.

He referenced a recent comment attributed to the U.S. president describing Nigeria as a “now disgraced country,” saying the nation’s present condition explains why such views persist.

“Today, when you look around, you begin to understand why the world speaks of us that way,” Obi said.