Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has forwarded a list of nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and consideration for appointment as Commissioners in a bid to reconstitute his cabinet.

The list comprised of commissioners who were members of the State Executive Council that was dissolved by the Governor on August 10, 2025.

In a statement signed by Olayinka Oyebode Special Adviser (Media) to Ekiti State Governor, said that the decision to re-present the former commissioners for consideration by the State Assembly was jointly taken by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and critical stakeholders of the party in Ekiti State, who impressed it on the Governor to retain the team.

The decision was hinged on the need for the party to go into the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State Governorship election as a united family.

It is believed that appointing a new set of commissioners barely seven months to the election could be counter-productive.

Recall that the party leadership, the leadership of various towns and communities and other critical stakeholders, worked with the screening committee set up by the Governor, in the selection, nomination and appointment of the Commissioners and and other appointees in 2023.

Governor Oyebanji, had at the inception of his administration, said the party and leaders of various towns and communities in the State would play crucial roles in the process leading to the appointment of people into offices in order to make them accountable to the people.

The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi declared that he won’t run as a vice-presidential candidate with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or be part of any joint presidential ticket in the 2027 elections.

Amaechi declared that he is running for the presidency and will not be a running mate to anybody.

His statement comes after Atiku’s political ally and media entrepreneur, Dele Momodu, suggested that Atiku might consider the former Rivers State governor should the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declines to run with him.

According to Momodu, “A lot of people are underrating Amaechi. Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari. Amaechi did quite well when he was governor of Rivers State. Amaechi mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”

In response through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi insisted that his ambition is solely to become the President of the country and not Vice President.Amaechi distanced himself from any alliance aimed at making him a running mate.

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.