Public affairs analyst and good governance advocate, Ezenwa Nwagwu, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as a non-career ambassador.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nwagwu said Yakubu’s extensive experience in public service and his strong grasp of democratic governance positioned him as an asset to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
He noted that the former INEC boss consistently demonstrated “commitment to institutional reforms, transparency, and responsible stewardship” throughout his tenure.
Nwagwu who doubled as the Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, argued that Yakubu successfully steered INEC through some of the most challenging election cycles in the nation’s history.
According to him, Yakubu would enhance Nigeria’s representation on the global stage. At a time when Nigeria faces increased international scrutiny, he said the country needs diplomats with proven administrative competence and global recognition.
He urged Nigerians to evaluate the nomination from the standpoint of national interest rather than political speculation.
“Ambassadors serve as representatives of the Nigerian people, not any particular administration. What matters is competence, credibility and the ability to project Nigeria positively — all of which Yakubu has consistently shown,” Nwagwu said.
He dismissed allegations surrounding Yakubu’s exit from INEC, describing them as politically motivated.
“Some claim he was removed over issues concerning the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), while others say he is being rewarded by President Tinubu. These contradictions show that many of the criticisms are not grounded in facts,” he added.
Responding to concerns that the appointment came too soon after Yakubu left office, Nwagwu said such worries were “misplaced,” stressing that no law bars former INEC chairmen from taking appointive positions. He clarified that the previously required five-year cooling-off period applied only to elective positions and was repealed in 2010 after thorough legislative deliberations.
He also highlighted Yakubu’s service under four administrations — Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari, and Tinubu — noting that he delivered some of the most competitive elections in Nigeria’s history.
He, thereby urged the Senate to speed up the confirmation process and encouraged Yakubu to use his new diplomatic role to further advance Nigeria’s interests abroad.
DAILY POST reports that Yakubu was among the 32 ambassadorial nominees recently forwarded to the Senate by President Tinubu for confirmation.