The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa and founder of the Albino Foundation Jake Epelle has cautioned that appointing former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu as an ambassador could damage Nigerias diplomatic ties particularly with Western nations.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday Epelle warned that posting Mahmoud to countries such as the United States would be “a disaster” claiming that some Western governments view him as unfriendly to democratic values.
He however noted that African nations might be more accommodating of the appointment.
According to Epelle assigning an envoy with what he termed “political baggage” could restrict Nigerias interactions with host nations as such diplomats may be denied access to sensitive meetings or key information channels.
He expressed uncertainty over who advised President Bola Tinubu to nominate Mahmoud whom he described as a personal friend. He suggested the decision showed disregard for public sentiment.
Epelle said he had expected the former INEC chair to retire to academia or private life and described the nomination as unexpected.
He said “Political appointment in general is a political chess game. They dont respect federal character. They dont respect the perception of the people. They have no regard for what the people think.
“Remember that these appointments are made by Cabal just a handful of people that are very close to the President that will advise him lets take this person lets take that person. And in the context of this I dont know who advised Mr. President about Mahmoud who happens to be I dont deny friends a good friend of mine.
“You know that I thought that prof should have been relaxing maybe in his country home or going back to the university to teach. I have no idea that hes still interested in political office but thats up to him. Thats one appointment that I take with a pinch of salt.
“I dont think that the President was properly advised but is almost a case of I just dont care. Everybody serves at my pleasure and thats the Mr. President. So he has a right to appoint but when you are doing this appointment you must feel the pulse of the nations. You must understand the intricacies around diplomacy knowing fully well that any country you send someone with political baggage that country would treat that person almost like a whip. There is certain information they will never give to the person. There are certain meetings that they will never call the person. So it happens.
“So for instance if Mahmoud ends up in the US it will be a disaster for us because already they believe that he was not very friendly with democracy. I dont know any of the Western countries maybe these African countries yes can tolerate it but thats not a good nominee for the interest of what is happening around us especially within the global circle.”
