On Sunday, the Nigerian government officially addressed recent false claims that the country was snubbed in the 2024 United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council elections.
This was contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the government clarified that Nigeria did not participate as a candidate in the election held on October 9, 2024.
Contrary to erroneous media reports, Nigeria had no intention of contesting this year.
Instead, the focus has been on supporting the African bloc’s endorsed candidates, which included Benin and Gambia, both members of ECOWAS.
The election, conducted via secret ballot, saw the selection of 18 member nations to the Council for the 2025-2027 term.
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The winners from the African regional group Benin, Gambia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia secured all available seats, with no competition.
Nigeria’s strategic decision not to run aligns with its leadership in fostering African unity and promoting collective representation on the global stage, a hallmark of President Tinubu’s diplomacy.
The government also emphasized the importance of accurate reporting on international matters.
Media outlets are urged to verify information with relevant bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before publication.
Nigeria’s focus remains on supporting endorsed candidates and maintaining its leadership role in African diplomacy.
This clarification comes as part of Nigeria’s efforts to avoid unnecessary misinterpretation of its global position and commitment to unity within international organizations.