KEY POINTS
- Nigeria excluded itself from the 2024 UN Human Rights Council electoral race.
- Reports that Nigeria was snubbed at the meeting dismissed by Presidency.
- Nigerian support for regional candidates for the top regional job is a hallmark of Nigeria’s presidency.
Reports claimed that the country was snubbed in the election for the 2024 UN Human Rights Council, but the Nigerian Presidency dismissed them.
But in a statement titled ‘Setting the record straight’, issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria never stood as a candidate in the recent election held on October 9, 2024.
Furthermore rebuffing claims in some media reports that Nigeria was on the ballot as with the 2023 cycle, Onanuga explained. It was the same lie repeated in the incorrect report making the rounds. ‘That Nigeria was on the ballot in the Oct. 9 election,’ he added. Also other countries ‘mistakenly’ recorded votes for Nigeria that were cast in error, Onanuga added.
In addition, Nigeria’s focus on regional unity discusses why Nigeria’s unity is under threat, while leaving readers questioning its direction. It also leaves readers questioning whether the country’s current path can result in peace.
Nigeria’s diplomatic rearrangement is to support the endorsed regional candidates. Onanuga explained that Nigeria chose to support regional candidates for the council instead of seeking a seat herself.
Moreover, Benin and Gambia, both ECOWAS members, were endorsed for the 2025-2027 term in line with Nigeria’s agenda to promote African solidarity, he said. President Bola Tinubu ‘will build united African voice in global affairs,’ he explained.
Onanuga added this approach is indicative of Nigeria’s long term diplomatic efforts at ensuring Africa speaks with one voice in the global universe.
Election results and structure of council
On October 9, the UN General Assembly chose 18 new members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025–27 term.
These members include Benin, Gambia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The African regional group faced no competition as it fielded only five candidates. This matched the number of available seats, Onanugua adds.
Also, excluded from the outgoing members are countries such as Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India, Somalia, which had eligibility disqualified them as being ineligible for immediate re-election having served consecutive terms. Other countries like Ghana and South Africa, China and Brazil, continue to serve on the Council.
According to The Punch, Onanuga urged media houses to cross check their information about such international matters from relevant government authorities before publishing. He cautioned that as Nigerians, ‘we should not be too easy to drag Nigeria on international issues.’
An intergovernmental body composed of 47 States, the Human Rights Council works to promote and protect all human rights globally. The newly elected members will assume their positions on January 1, 2025, succeeding outgoing members whose terms expire on December 31, 2024.
