Ex-Diplomat Keshi berates Tinubu for picking ‘failed ex-governors, jail-worthy nominees’ as ambassadors
•Some of the ambassadorial nominees
A former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s freshly submitted ambassadorial nominees, warning that several names on the list have no business representing Nigeria—let alone holding public office.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Keshi said he was alarmed by the calibre of individuals selected, insisting that a number of them “should be cooling their heels in prison” if Nigeria adhered to proper standards of governance.
“I’m comfortable with some names on the list, but the truth of the matter is that the bulk of the people on the non-career list is a bit disturbing. Are these the kind of people we want to represent Nigeria?” he asked.
“You have people who, if justice had prevailed and if this country had been run properly, and the rules of the game obeyed, actually should be cooling their heels within the walls of the prison and not being sent out as ambassadors.”
Keshi did not stop there. He accused a few former governors on the list of gross underperformance while in office.
“You have people who have governed their states. They were absolute failures. They showed no leadership when they led their states, and the governors who took over from them are struggling to repair the damage they’ve done. Those are the kind of people being rewarded, either because they helped you destroy other political parties,” he added.
*‘Nigeria Needs Its Best Hands’*
Keshi, who once headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as permanent secretary, stressed that Nigeria’s diplomatic reputation is being weakened by political patronage. He argued that the country has a rich pool of trained, career diplomats who have been unjustly sidelined.
“Look, as far back as the 1960s, when the diplomatic service was established, the Prime Minister was very clear about the kind of foreign service he wanted—competent, independent, well-trained officers who could compete with their peers across the world.”
According to him, that legacy endured for decades “until the politicians came and started what they are doing today.”
Keshi also revealed that senior officials within the ministry are deeply hurt by the exclusion of career diplomats from the most recent list.
“These officers are demoralised,” he said. “Tomorrow somebody will accuse them of being unpatriotic, but the truth of the matter is that they are disappointed after being prepared. They’ve gone through training, and at the point where they should be appointed, you’re now saying they are not qualified to represent the country.”
Calls on Tinubu to correct the list
Keshi appealed directly to President Tinubu, urging him to ensure that the next batch of nominees—rumoured to be in the works—reflects the professionalism and meritocracy expected of Nigeria’s foreign service.
“I beg the President, for goodness’ sake, for the sake of the officers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, to please ensure that the next list contains no other names but the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
He insisted that career diplomats, some of whom have retired in frustration, now feel betrayed by a system they faithfully served.
“All these officers, as Nigerians today, are very bitter, and they think that Nigeria has done it to them,” he said.
Keshi also hinted that a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, may have been unfairly removed from office, suggesting that “a conspiracy” played a role in his ouster.
