Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized the Federal Government’s newly released list of ambassadorial nominees, describing the selections as “shocking” and reflective of the country’s declining leadership standards. Peter Obi criticizes ambassadorial nominees as part of his ongoing scrutiny of governance standards.
Obi’s remarks follow growing public concerns over the competence, integrity, and suitability of some nominees chosen to represent Nigeria in key diplomatic positions. Peter Obi criticizes ambassadorial nominees, emphasizing the need for competent representation globally.
“Some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking. 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 said. His statement highlights how Peter Obi criticizes ambassadorial nominees when poor governance is in question.
Leadership Failures and Public Disillusionment
Obi argued that poor leadership choices such as these contribute to widening distrust between citizens and those in power.
He also took a swipe at First Lady Remi Tinubu, condemning reports of lavish dinners hosted for Senators amid widespread insecurity, mass abductions, and daily killings across the country.
“Our institutions are being ridiculed the First Lady hosting extravagant dinners for Senators while children are being abducted and countless lives lost,” he said.
Obi insisted that the current administration has fallen far below acceptable standards of governance, stressing that Nigerians deserve leaders who embody responsibility, compassion, and competence.
A Call for Accountability and Hope
Obi urged Nigerian leaders to embrace ethical governance and moral responsibility, adding that true national progress is only possible when those in authority empathize with the struggles of ordinary citizens. This statement fits into the broader context of how Peter Obi criticizes ambassadorial nominees and calls for genuine accountability.
He encouraged young Nigerians not to lose hope, emphasizing that a just, secure, productive, and respected Nigeria remains achievable if citizens refuse to accept failure as the nation’s fate.
Background
Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after submitting an initial list of three.
Among the non-career nominees are:
- Former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta)
- Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu
- Former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo
- Former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
- Former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro
- Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
- Professor Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
- Tasiu Musa Maigari, former Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly
- Yakubu N. Gambo, former UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary
- Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
The nominees are expected to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains strategic diplomatic ties, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and various permanent missions such as the UN, AU, and UNESCO.
Earlier, the President had submitted the first set of nominees: Ayodele Oke, Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are.
