Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The federal government of Nigeria has cleared the air on the rumour making the rounds in the various social media platforms that the country was debased at the October 9 United Nations General Assembly, where 18 new members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term were elected.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that contrary to circulating reports suggesting Nigeria was snubbed in the election, the country did not stand as a candidate.
According to him, he said 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, while Nigeria’s absence from the ballot has sparked controversy.
Onanuga explained that the Human Rights Council, consisting of 47 member states, is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. He added that the recent election was conducted via secret ballot, with new members set to begin their terms on January 1, 2025. Outgoing members included the United States and India, who were ineligible for re-election after serving consecutive terms.
He quoted 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.
Also, Albania, Algeria, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, and South Africa will continue serving on the Council.
In the African regional group, the endorsed candidates—Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia—successfully secured all five available seats.
Onanuga: “There was no competition in the African regional group, as the continent fielded the same number of candidates as available seats.
“Contrary to information circulating, Nigeria was not snubbed in this election, as some reports have falsely claimed.
“The country did not stand as a candidate for this cycle of elections, just like it did not stand for election in 2023 when a Nigerian medium sensationally reported that the country earned three votes.
“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.”
Onanuga noted that Nigeria’s focus remains on supporting endorsed candidates from Africa saying, “Given Nigeria’s continued leadership in fostering African unity, the nation focused on supporting the endorsed candidates to promote collective African representation.
“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.”
He urged media outlets to verify information before publication.
“The media should cross-check their information before rushing to press. There was no sign this was done with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our country’s mission in New York.
“As Nigerians, we should not be quick to disparage or drag our country, especially on international matters,” Onanuga added.