Ex-diplomat Hails Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees

Retired career diplomat Ambassador Gbara Awanen has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stand firm against what he described as an “orchestrated media trial” targeting some of his newly submitted ambassadorial nominees, particularly former director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke.

President Tinubu had on November 26, 2025, forwarded the first batch of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation. Among them is Ambassador Oke, who headed the NIA between 2013 and 2017 and was previously accused of corrupt enrichment, allegations that were later dismissed in court.

According to Ambassador Awanen, those protesting Oke’s nomination,are “political buccaneers and misinformed civil society actors,” who are  relying on claims that have already been legally disproven. He stressed that many Nigerians are unaware of the full facts of Oke’s ordeal.

He recalled that on June 9, 2023, Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos struck out all charges against Oke based on national security considerations and a mutual agreement by both the prosecution and defence teams. The decision, he said, was further validated by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, who affirmed the legal and national security implications of discontinuing the case.

Awanen argued that the principle of presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of democracy, insisting that once a court has given a final verdict, whether through acquittal, dismissal, or quashing of charges, the individual must be regarded as legally innocent.

“To continue treating an accused person as guilty after the courts have affirmed their innocence is to undermine the judiciary and the constitutional process,” he said, adding that Ambassador Oke now enjoys the same legal and moral standing as any Nigerian without a criminal record.

He warned that bowing to media pressure would set a dangerous precedent whereby mere allegations, no matter how baseless, could permanently ruin a person’s career. According to him, such a trend would embolden detractors to weaponize accusations for political gain.

“A government must be able to appoint the most qualified individuals to high office,” Awanen maintained. “Very few are as experienced in national security and international diplomacy as Ambassador Oke.”

He argued further that withdrawing the nomination would politicize judicial outcomes and erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law.

Instead, Ambassador Awanen urged the Tinubu administration to remain resolute, emphasizing that the focus should be on the nominee’s competence, vision, and capacity to serve, not on discredited allegations.

He described Oke as a “steady, strategic thinker” whose expertise is needed at a time of significant global uncertainty and national security concern.

“President Tinubu made the right call by nominating Ambassador Oke,” he said.

“Rejecting a media-driven campaign against him would send a strong message that this government prioritizes merit, respects the judiciary, and values the contributions of dedicated public servants.”

Awanen concluded by calling on the Senate and the public to uphold fairness and resist attempts to re-punish a man who has already been declared innocent by law.