Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to nominate the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, as an ambassador, describing it as “inappropriate” and “damaging” to public trust.

In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Atiku said he would never, “under any circumstance,” nominate the former electoral umpire if he were president, insisting that such an appointment “raises serious concerns” and amounts to “terrible optics” for an administration already battling credibility issues.

“Such a nomination risks appearing as a quid pro quo rather than a recognition of merit. It sends the wrong message to the current INEC leadership; that partisan, compromised, or poorly executed elections may ultimately be rewarded.

“And most importantly, it is morally indefensible for an umpire at the centre of one of the most disputed elections in our history to become a beneficiary of its outcome,” Atiku said.

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He maintained that the development does not strengthen Nigeria’s democracy nor help restore public confidence in national institutions.

President Tinubu had earlier forwarded 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The list includes the former INEC chairman, former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; ex-minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri; former Abia governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and former Lagos deputy governor, Femi Pedro.

Others include Ondo senator and businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; and former Adamawa senator, Grace Bent.

The Senate is expected to screen and confirm the nominees in the coming days.