- ‘Tinubu Has the Right to Choose His Ambassadors’ – Presidency Defends Nominees
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Oshodi insists political diplomat appointments are normal global practice.
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He says performance will justify the choice of the 32 ambassadorial nominees.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has defended the President’s latest ambassadorial nominations, insisting that the selections reflect the President’s best judgment for his administration and for the country.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Oshodi explained that political appointments to diplomatic positions are a normal practice globally, noting that presidents and prime ministers often nominate trusted allies.
“Whether it’s Donald Trump sending his friends as ambassadors, or the British government posting Peter Mandelson to Washington despite controversies, it is the nature of the business. I’m not saying we should send people of bad character abroad, but it has to be the discretion and political decision of the president or head of state,” he said.
Oshodi stressed that Nigerians must respect the President’s prerogative in selecting individuals he believes will best represent his administration. He argued that critics questioning the quality of the nominees overlook the fact that the President was elected to make key decisions.
“We voted for a president, and we voted for him to make his decisions. This is the best the President has chosen, and it is the best for the interests and success of his administration,” he noted.
He added that assessing whether the nominees are “the best” is subjective, emphasizing that their performance in office will ultimately validate the President’s choices. “Your judgement of what is best is different from mine. He sends his people out to represent his government whether for economic, security or cultural needs,” he said.
A total of 32 names were forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, following an earlier batch of three. The list includes former INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
