“This is not leadership” – Peter Obi slams Tinubu’s ambassadorial list, questions nominees’ competence

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu new set of ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate, saying several names on the list are simply “shocking.”

In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the former Anambra governor questioned the suitability of some of the nominees to represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Obi said the list reflects what he describes as the administration’s growing tolerance for mediocrity, corruption and impunity.

“Some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking. But with a leadership that has allowed mediocrity, corruption, and impunity to rise to the top, who else did you expect them to choose?” he wrote.

He also lamented the state of the nation, accusing the political class of focusing on celebrations and self-interest while Nigerians face killings, kidnappings and economic hardship.

“When our people are being killed, our leaders are busy hosting dinners. When children are being snatched from their schools, the political class is celebrating and dancing,” he said.

Obi further criticised the First Lady for hosting extravagant dinners for senators at a time when families across the country are battling insecurity.

“This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve,” he added.

His comments come amid rising public concern over some of the individuals included in Tinubu’s latest set of 32 ambassadorial nominees submitted to the Senate on November 29.

The list includes Reno Omokri, former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, former Ekiti First Lady Angela Adebayo, and former Adamawa senator Grace Bent.

A former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, also expressed worry, saying some nominees “should have no business being in the diplomatic service by any standard.”

Obi’s message is clear: Nigeria deserves competent global representation not political appointments that ignore merit and national interest.