The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa and founder of the Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle, has cautioned that appointing former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador could harm Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, particularly with Western nations.
Speaking during a Channels Television programme on Monday, Epelle said posting Yakubu to countries such as the United States would be “a disaster,” claiming that some Western governments perceived him as unfriendly to democratic norms. He noted, however, that African nations might be more accommodating.
Epelle warned that sending diplomats with “political baggage” could significantly restrict Nigeria’s engagement with host nations, as such envoys may be shut out of important meetings or sensitive information-sharing platforms.
He questioned the advice President Bola Tinubu received before nominating Yakubu—whom he described as a personal friend—suggesting that the decision reflected a disregard for public perception.
According to him, he had expected the former INEC chairman to retire from public life and return to academia, saying the nomination came as a surprise.
“Political appointments are like a chess game,” Epelle said. “They often ignore federal character, public perception and the will of the people. A few individuals close to the President usually influence these decisions. I do not know who advised the President on Mahmood’s nomination.”
He added that nominating someone perceived internationally as controversial could complicate Nigeria’s diplomacy.
“If Mahmood ends up in the US, it will be a disaster because they believe he wasn’t very friendly with democracy. Western nations may not engage him fully. Maybe some African countries can tolerate it, but it’s not a good choice considering global realities,” he said.
Epelle stressed that ambassadorial appointments must reflect the nation’s diplomatic interests, warning that the wrong choice could undermine Nigeria’s credibility on the international stage.
Nigerian Newssphere reports Mahmud, others made President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ambassadorial nominees list.
