Demola Oshodi, the Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) to President Bola Tinubu, has outlined some reasons why figures such as former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; and a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, were named in the recently published ambassadorial list.
President Tinubu last week forwarded a list of ambassadorial
nominees to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Names such as Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Yakubu on the
list have generated significant reactions from Nigerians. Many feel that
personalities like Fani-Kayode and Omokri may not be suitable for such
appointments.
But speaking on Arise News – The Morning Show, Oshodi said
that in any appointment, there are always people who oppose and others who
support such moves. He noted that what matters is maintaining balance in the
appointments, adding that Nigerians should understand the President’s
considerations for what would make his administration successful.
“We voted for him. We give him the right to choose his
executives, so we have to trust his judgment,” he said.
When asked about the controversies surrounding the
nominations of Yakubu, Omokri, and Fani-Kayode, and how they are strategic to
aiding Nigeria’s foreign policy direction between now and 2027, Oshodi added:
“We can look at the professor’s years of career. He’s been
in charge of Nigeria’s electoral body for many years. He helped conduct the
2019 and 2023 elections, and I think it’s generally considered a good job.
“So these non-career diplomats are political. Their first
priority is loyalty. They have been loyal to the administration and understand
its vision.”
Asked how Yakubu had demonstrated his loyalty to the
administration, and whether it was through his conduct in the last election,
Oshodi clarified:
“No, it’s the criteria of national service. I’m just giving
you different reasons why the President made his judgment. There’s also ethnic
and state balance.
“He needs to ensure there’s a general federal character. I
don’t know specifically the President’s judgment on the professor, but I can
tell you for a fact that his national service has been exemplary. That is why
he has been rewarded with this high office. Of course, as you said, his loyalty
to the President is based on all four criteria.
“I said specifically, we don’t know exactly what the
President decided on. It could be national service, because you can say he
served this country for a long period in a commendable way.
“So you can’t just focus on loyalty and say that is the
reason. I gave three reasons why he’s there, apart from his competence in this
field.”
On Fani-Kayode, he added: “It’s not really that simple. The
President’s reason for appointing diplomats, especially ambassadors and high
commissioners, is based on how he assesses their competence and capacity.
“Some countries and situations require certain skills and
attributes, and I want to believe the President’s judgment is based on that.
There are reasons why these people are appointed.
“Mr. Fani-Kayode has served this country in many capacities.
Being divisive does not eliminate him from serving further.
“Everyone’s personal life is personal. The President’s
decision is based on national service and, in many ways, a balance of
competence.”
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