The Nigerian government has clarified that Nigeria was not a candidate in the 2024 cycle of UN Human Rights Council Elections, refuting claims that the country was snubbed in the just concluded UN polls.
Setting the record straight, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga stated that Nigeria mainly focused on supporting the five endorsed candidates to promote collective African representation following Nigeria’s leadership in fostering African unity.
Mr Onanuga said that “West African regional bloc endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term, to serve in the UN Human Rights Council.”
He further listed the endorsed candidates in the African regional group, to include Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia, adding that they successfully secured all five available seats.
Mr Onanuga said; “There was no competition in the African regional group, as the continent fielded the same number of candidates as available seats.
“Nigeria did not stand as a candidate for this cycle of elections Contrary to information circulating, Nigeria was not snubbed 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 Presidential aide restated that Nigeria was not on the ballot in the 9th October election, any votes recorded for Nigeria was cast in error in the secret balloting by some other countries which thought Nigeria was on the ballot.
“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,” he stated.
Mr Onanuga said; “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 Special Adviser to the President further enjoined the media to continuously cross check all information stressing that no such developments was carried out with Nigerian mission in New York or the nation’s Ministry of foreign Affairs.
Mr Onanuga called on Nigerians not to be quick to disparage the country especially on international matters.
The Elections
On October 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.
The members elected to the Council are 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.
The Council is an intergovernmental 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 on January 1, 2025, replacing members whose terms 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.
According 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.
Also, Albania, Algeria, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, and South Africa will continue serving on the Council.
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS regional bloc endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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