Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to
the president, says Nigeria was not snubbed in the United Nations human rights
council election.
On October 9, the UN General Assembly elected 18 members to
the council via secret ballot for the 2025-2027 term.
The council is an intergovernmental body within the UN
system consisting of 47 countries tasked with promoting and protecting human
rights globally.
Among the newly elected members were Bolivia, Colombia,
Cyprus, Czechia, Iceland, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand.
In the African regional group, the endorsed candidates —
Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia — successfully secured all five
available seats.
On Saturday, there were reports circulating that the human
rights council had snubbed Nigeria in the election.
But reacting in his statement on Sunday, Onanuga said there
was no competition in the African regional group, as the continent fielded the
same number of candidates as available seats..
”The country did not stand as a candidate for this cycle of
elections, just like it did not stand for election in 2023 when a Nigerian
medium sensationally reported that the country earned three votes,“ the
statement reads.
”The same lie was rehashed in the erroneous report in
circulation. Again, we restate that Nigeria was not on the ballot in the
election held on 9 October. Whatever vote was recorded for our country must
have been cast in error in the secret balloting by some countries which thought
Nigeria was on the ballot.
”For those conversant with elections into international
organisations, especially to prestigious bodies like the Human Rights Council,
countries vying for positions usually receive regional endorsements.
”The regional bloc endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members
of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term.
”Given Nigeria’s continued leadership in fostering African
unity, the nation focused on supporting the endorsed candidates to promote
collective African representation.
”This has been the hallmark of President Bola Tinubu’s
leadership on the continent. This strategic approach aligns with Nigeria’s
long-standing diplomatic efforts to ensure Africa speaks with a united voice on
the global stage.
”The media should cross-check their information before
rushing to press. There was no sign this was done with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs or our country’s mission in New York.
”As Nigerians, we should not be quick to disparage or drag
our country, especially on international matters.“
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