• UNGA elects 18 new members to council
The Federal Government has debunked claims that the country was snubbed during the recent United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) election.
The government said contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media, Nigeria did not participate in the October 9 election.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria deliberately did not contest for this cycle of election, a decision it made last year.
The statement said Nigeria supported Benin and The Gambia, the endorsed candidates of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the 2025-2027 term.
It urged the media to verify information before publishing it, cautioning Nigerians against disparaging their country on international matters.
“Contrary to information circulating, Nigeria was not snubbed in this election, as some reports have falsely claimed.
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“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 October 9. 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 United Nations Human Rights Council, countries vying for positions usually receive regional endorsements.
“The regional bloc endorsed Benin Republic and The Gambia, both members of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term.
“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.
“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,” the statement said.
The newly elected countries into the Council include Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand.
These countries will replace outgoing members whose terms expire on December 31.
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.
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the UN system and it consists of 47 states tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.
Members serve three-year terms with no option for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.