The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recently submitted list of ambassadorial nominees, describing it as “scandalous” and a direct reflection of the administration’s values.

In a press release signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP criticized the inclusion of “disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians, and public officials” with “integrity deficits” and histories of “anti-democratic activities.”

The party called the nominations a “sad commentary” on Nigeria’s diplomatic representation, arguing they undermine the country’s global standing.

The PDP expressed particular outrage over the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate-past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party accused Yakubu’s tenure of being marred by “double-speaks, flip-flops, and undelivered promises,” which they claim facilitated the current administration’s rise. Offering him an ambassadorial post now, the PDP alleged, is a “skewed reward system” intended to incentivize the new INEC Chairman to deliver “flawed elections” in 2027.

“A nominee is a clear and direct reflection of the values and estimation of the nominator,” the statement read, asserting that the list—submitted nearly three years into Tinubu’s term—reveals a “paucity of excellent people” within the President’s circle.

The opposition party warned that appointing ambassadors with “tainted political profiles” would lead to a “diplomatic all-time low,” as a nation’s international respect hinges on the integrity of its representatives.

The PDP demanded that President Tinubu immediately withdraw the list and renominate candidates with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing” capable of commanding global respect.

The controversy erupts as the National Assembly prepares to screen the 32 additional nominees announced earlier this week, intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections. The Presidency has yet to respond to the PDP’s allegations.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the coalition-backed party he is expected to align with ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku made the announcement on Monday through his X handle, posting a photo of himself holding his ADC membership card with the brief caption, “It’s official.”

His move follows his July resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which had been mired in a prolonged internal crisis.

(Vanguard)

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will today formally register with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and pick up his membership card.

Atiku will register at Jada Ward 1 in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The former vice president hinted at the development during a meeting held on Sunday with the Adamawa State ADC leadership in Yola.

He said: ” In Nigeria as a whole, there is a new political movement, is it not so? Today, the new movement has taken us to where? To the ADC. So, the people of Adamawa and Nigeria, our new party is ADC and our new leaders in Adamawa are here seated.

“After that, on Monday, I will be officially in the ADC. Before now, I was not in; you were there before me. Will you accept me?” he asked, to which the crowd responded with a resounding “Yes”.

He added: “May God allow us to witness Monday. It is tomorrow; we are hopeful to meet tomorrow.”

Until now, there had been doubts over the level of commitment of both Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the ADC after the opposition coalition they jointly lead adopted the party in July as its platform for the 2027 presidential election.