Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, says he does not believe President Bola Tinubu received proper advice before nominating former INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador to represent the country.

Epelle spoke on Monday during Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, where he criticised the political process behind such an appointment and questioned the judgment that informed the decision.

He Insisted that such a move deepens public distrust, especially given the controversies surrounding Nigeria’s electoral process and the need to rebuild confidence in national institutions.

Epelle maintained that the decision to nominate Yakubu, coming so soon after his tenure at INEC, raised legitimate concerns and should have been approached with greater sensitivity to public sentiment.

“I don’t know who advised Mr. President about Mahmood, who happens to be—I don’t deny—a good friend of mine.

“I thought that Prof should have been relaxing, maybe in his country home or going back to the university to teach.

“I have no idea that he’s still interested in political office, but that’s up to him. But that’s one appointment that I take with a pinch of salt. I don’t think that the President was properly advised,” the rights advocate stated.

Tinubu released a second list of ambassadorial nominees on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

According to him, political appointments in Nigeria are often driven by a small circle of influencers around the President rather than by considerations of public perception or national interest.

“Remember that these appointments are made by cabals, just a handful of people that are very close to the President, who will advise him,” he added.

‘Expired’ Nominees

He also argued that most of the nominees on the list presented to the president had expired.

“Those names are expired as far as I’m concerned. There are too many people who have been in the political space and all types of spaces with very little contributions,” Epelle said.

He further noted that Nigerians expected clearer vetting, wider consultation, and better-quality advice on sensitive appointments, particularly those involving former electoral officials.

“Federal character was not respected in this context; it was more of political tokenism and doing favours to those who have done one thing or the other for them,” he added during the programme.

He, therefore, urged the President to ensure that future nominations were handled with transparency and a broader consideration of public confidence, rather than relying on the counsel of a select few.

Last Saturday, Tinubu released a list of 32 persons nominated to serve as ambassadors in Nigeria’s foreign missions.

They also included former governors of Enugu and Abia states, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu; a former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.

The President had earlier sent the names of a former Director General of the national Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ayo Oke; Amin Dalhatu, and Colonel Lateef Are (retd.) to the Senate for confirmation. (Channels TV)