A media and communications platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC), the APC Media Network, on Monday, 1 December, 2025 defended President Bola Tinubu ambassadorial nominees, saying his picks reflected sound judgment.
The group’s defence of Tinubu’s pick of ambassadorial nominees comes after the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP and former Commissioner of Information in Akwa Ibom State, Ini Ememobong, had condemned the 32 nominees who also include the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri and others.
However, the Director-General of the APC group, Iniobong John, through a statement issued in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital on Monday, 1 December, 2025, said Tinubu selections were made with “due regard to merit, national interest, and Nigeria’s diplomatic needs,” adding that only a party drowning in internal conflict, like the PDP, would interpret merit as scandal.
The statement reads in part, “The APC Media Network has noted the latest misguided and ill-tempered statement issued by Mr. Ini Ememobong, who parades himself as a factional National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attacking the ambassadorial nominees recently forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As expected, the PDP’s reaction is rooted in bitterness, confusion, and deliberate misinformation—qualities that now define the fractured party.
“To set the record straight, all the nominees are eminently qualified in character, competence, and experience. President Tinubu made his selections with due regard to merit, national interest, and Nigeria’s diplomatic needs. Only a party drowning in internal conflict, like the PDP, would interpret merit as scandal.
“The attack on the immediate past INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is another attempt to peddle falsehood for cheap political gain.
“Prof. Yakubu remains fully qualified for an ambassadorial role, backed by decades of professional experience and administrative expertise. The PDP’s allegations only reflect lingering frustrations over electoral losses they have refused to accept.
“It is equally hypocritical for a party with a long history of controversial appointments to suddenly pretend to care about integrity. Nigerians vividly remember the PDP’s years of impunity, compromised processes, and questionable postings.
“Contrary to the PDP’s claims, Nigeria’s global image is not threatened by competent ambassadorial nominees. What truly damages the country’s reputation is the reckless and unsubstantiated rhetoric routinely issued by a factional PDP desperate for relevance.
“President Tinubu’s ambassadorial choices reflect sound judgment.
The nominees bring honour and value to Nigeria’s diplomatic representation. And no barrage of propaganda from a factional PDP will change that.”
