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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has addressed recent claims that Nigeria was snubbed in the 2024 UN Human Rights Council election. In a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight,” released on Sunday, Onanuga clarified that Nigeria did not run as a candidate in this election cycle, a situation that mirrors its absence from the previous year’s elections.
Onanuga emphasized that:
- No Candidacy: Nigeria was not on the ballot for the election held on October 9, 2024. He pointed out that there were erroneous reports suggesting Nigeria received three votes, which he attributes to misunderstanding during the secret balloting process. “Whatever vote was recorded for our country must have been cast in error by some countries who thought Nigeria was on the ballot,” he stated.
- Election Procedures: He explained that countries typically need regional endorsements to be considered for positions in international organizations like the Human Rights Council. For this election, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) endorsed Benin and Gambia for the 2025-2027 term.
- Continued Leadership Role: Onanuga highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to fostering African unity and the importance of collective representation. He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s leadership has been focused on supporting endorsed candidates to strengthen Africa’s voice on the global stage.
This statement aims to dispel any misconceptions regarding Nigeria’s participation in the UN Human Rights Council elections and reiterates the country’s commitment to regional solidarity and leadership.