Federal Government has rebuffed some publications claiming that Nigeria was snubbed in the elections to select members of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.
A statement explains that Nigeria did not take part in the elections in question, just like she did not stand for election in 2023, in which the publication claimed that she got only 3 votes.
Signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, it points out that the United Nations General Assembly, on October 9, 2024, elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.
According to it the members elected to the Council were Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.
It further explains that the Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system, consisting of 47 States, tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.
The election, conducted via secret ballot, determined which nations would fill three-year terms beginning from January 1, 2025, replacing members whose terms will expire on December 31, 2024.
Among the outgoing members are Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
It makes reference to a report on the meeting published by the UN, Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India and Somalia, which had served two consecutive terms, were ineligible for immediate re-election, with Albania, Algeria, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, and South Africa to continue serving on the Council.
The statement says there was no competition in the African Regional Group, as the continent fielded the same number of candidates as available seats, and therefore endorsed Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia.
“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”, the statement clarifies.
It emphasises that Nigeria, giving her continued leadership in fostering African unity, she focused on supporting the endorsed candidates to promote collective African representation.
According to it, “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”.
It appeals to the media to cross-check their information before publication, adding that as Nigerians, the media should not be quick to disparage or drag the country, especially on international matters.
Bello Wakili
