ABUJA, Nigeria — Demola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) to President Bola Tinubu, has defended the inclusion of several controversial figures in the president’s latest ambassadorial nomination list, saying the president’s choices reflect a balance of competence, loyalty, and national considerations.
Oshodi spoke on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, following public backlash over the nominations of former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
Last week, President Tinubu forwarded 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.
The list—containing both career and non-career nominees—quickly drew strong reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the suitability of some high-profile appointees.
Oshodi acknowledged the controversy but urged Nigerians to trust the president’s judgment.
“We voted for him. We give him the right to choose his executives, so we have to trust his judgment,” he said.
He explained that opposition to appointments is not unusual.
“In any appointment, there are always people who oppose and others who support such moves,” he said, adding that what matters is that the president maintains national balance and prioritises what aligns with the administration’s success.
Addressing the specific concerns raised about Yakubu, Omokri, and Fani-Kayode, Oshodi said non-career diplomatic roles are inherently political and require individuals who understand the administration’s vision.
“We can look at the professor’s years of career. He’s been in charge of Nigeria’s electoral body for many years. He helped conduct the 2019 and 2023 elections, and I think it’s generally considered a good job,” Oshodi said of Yakubu.
“These non-career diplomats are political. Their first priority is loyalty. They have been loyal to the administration and understand its vision.”
When asked whether Yakubu’s loyalty was linked to his conduct during the last election, Oshodi rejected that framing.
“No, it’s the criteria of national service. I’m just giving you different reasons why the President made his judgment,” he said.
“There’s also ethnic and state balance. He needs to ensure there’s a general federal character.”
He added that Yakubu’s service record, competence, and long-standing national contributions likely influenced his selection.
“You can’t just focus on loyalty and say that is the reason. I gave three reasons why he’s there, apart from his competence in this field.”
Responding to questions about Fani-Kayode, Oshodi reiterated that diplomatic appointments require varied skill sets depending on the country and context.
“The President’s reason for appointing diplomats, especially ambassadors and high commissioners, is based on how he assesses their competence and capacity,” he said.
“Some countries and situations require certain skills and attributes, and I want to believe the President’s judgment is based on that.”
He continued: “Mr. Fani-Kayode has served this country in many capacities. Being divisive does not eliminate him from serving further. Everyone’s personal life is personal. The President’s decision is based on national service and, in many ways, a balance of competence.”
On Omokri, Oshodi repeated that the president’s considerations go beyond public perception.
“There are reasons why these people are appointed,” he said.
