“Some of These People Should Be in Prison” — Amb. Joe Keshi on Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees

Former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees, describing some as unfit for diplomatic service. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Morning Brief*, Keshi said certain nominees “should have no business being in the diplomatic service by any standard,” suggesting that a few even deserved imprisonment rather than ambassadorial appointments.

President Tinubu had recently submitted a list of 32 nominees to the Senate, including former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri. Previous nominations had included Ayo Oke, Amin Dalhatu, and Colonel Lateef Are (retd).

While Keshi expressed support for some names on the list, he said the majority of the non-career nominees raised serious concerns about their character and track record. He criticized certain former state governors for poor leadership during their tenure, claiming their appointments amounted to political rewards for undermining opposition parties.

Keshi also defended Ayo Oke, the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, saying there had been a conspiracy that led to his removal. He highlighted the resentment among senior foreign affairs officials who were excluded from the nominations, warning that such moves demoralize trained and dedicated officers.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s diplomatic service history, Keshi recalled that the first generation of foreign service officers was selected for competence and independence, setting high standards that he believes are being overlooked today. He urged President Tinubu to prioritize career diplomats in future ambassadorial appointments to restore morale and ensure the country is represented by its best-trained personnel.