Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to nominate the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakkubu for an ambassadorial posting, describing the move as damaging to democratic credibility and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement released on Thursday, Atiku said he would “under no circumstance” consider such a nomination were he President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, insisting that appointing a recently retired electoral umpire to a political position raises grave ethical and institutional concerns.
According to him, the decision risks being interpreted as a political reward rather than a merit-based appointment. He argued that the optics are troubling for an administration he said is already battling questions around its legitimacy and public trust.
“At the very least, this appears to be a quid pro quo,” the former Vice President stated. “Such a nomination sends the wrong message to Nigerians and to the current INEC leadership — that partisan behaviour, compromised conduct, or poorly managed elections may ultimately be rewarded.”
Atiku further stressed that no democratic government committed to transparency and accountability should elevate a figure at the centre of one of the most disputed election cycles in Nigeria’s history.
“It is morally indefensible for an umpire who presided over a deeply controversial national election to become a beneficiary of its outcome,” he said.
He warned that the decision undermines efforts to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, erodes public confidence in national institutions, and contradicts the principles of fairness and neutrality expected of electoral officials both during and after their tenure.
“This is not the path to strengthening our democracy or restoring public trust in our institutions,” Atiku declared, adding that the move puts at risk the fragile gains made in electoral reforms.
The former Vice President reiterated that democratic institutions must be insulated from political patronage to protect their independence and integrity. He urged the Tinubu administration to reconsider the nomination in the interest of national stability, public confidence, and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
