By Moses Okorie
The Democratic Front (TDF) has denounced the criticism by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for inclusion of the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu in the list of nominated Ambassadors.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF described his position as myopic and selfish.
It said: “In his usual stride, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar viewed Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s nomination as Ambassador from a rather myopic prism of personal political interest, as against the compelling demand for merit, competence, and national interest.
”TDF sadly notes that the former Vice President’s inability to overcome the defeat he suffered in the 2023 presidential election and move on with his private life, has made him a self-serving detractor who leverages criticism for political visibility.
”The sentiment and rabid selfishness with which Atiku Abubakar criticized Prof. Yakubu’s nomination by insisting that the 2023 presidential election was the most disputed in Nigeria’s history, despite the verdict of the Election Appeal Tribunal and the Nigerian Supreme Court of Justice, shows he is engaged in the antics of a desperate political grandstander, who lashes out on government’s policies and actions just to remain perpetually on the headlines.
”We believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did consider all factors of merit and competency before presenting a credible list of Ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly. It is therefore unacceptable for anyone to ascribe sentimental motives to the President’s decision to include Prof. Yakubu’s name on the list.
”At a time like this, when false narratives from Nigeria to the outside world, has become a major threat to democracy, unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, it is only fair and logical for a responsible government to consider the appointment of seasoned and experienced technocrats like the former INEC Chairman for Ambassadorial appointment, to defend the nation’s image, by changing the false narratives.”
The group called on Nigerians to reject the former Vice President’s tirades of opportunistic criticism.