A former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has publicly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly submitted ambassadorial nominee list, denouncing it as steeped in nepotism and regional bias — and lamented that many Nigerians now “miss Buhari.
In a blistering open letter addressed to the late president, Onochie accused Tinubu of rewarding political “enemies” of the Buhari administration while sidelining core loyalists, alleging that the distribution of ambassadorial slots was heavily tilted in favour of the South-West.
Onochie provided a breakdown of how the nominees were allocated across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, citing figures that show an uneven spread: South-South 3 nominees; North-West 5; North-Central 5; North-East 5; South-East 6; and South-West 11. She argued this imbalance is “nepotism at its peak” and criticised the choice of some nominees whom she said were part of anti-Buhari campaigns.
According to Onochie, widespread hardship, insecurity and poverty under the current government have sparked a wave of nostalgia among Nigerians, who she says are increasingly longing for Buhari’s “discipline, modest lifestyle, and perceived transparency.
Her intervention comes amid broader criticism of the list from other quarters. Human-rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has described the nominees as “career politicians who failed to deliver,” arguing that their inclusion damages Nigeria’s global image. Meanwhile, the main opposition party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also decried the list, calling it “scandalous” and demanding its withdrawal, citing concerns over integrity and international reputation.
As criticisms mount, the list remains before the upper legislative chamber for confirmation, with growing pressure on the presidency to justify its choices or reconsider. Dalena Reporters will continue to monitor the Senate’s response, regional reactions, and implications for national unity ahead of 2027.