By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA HAS made it clear that it was not a candidate in the recently concluded 2024 elections to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), putting to rest allegations that the country was deliberately overlooked.
The clarification came from the federal government after several reports falsely claimed Nigeria had been “snubbed” during the election process held on October 9, 2024, at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, spoke on behalf of the federal government, dismissing these reports as inaccurate.
He stressed that Nigeria chose not to run in the election but rather focused on backing a group of endorsed African candidates.
These nations—Benin, Gambia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia—were the continent’s selected representatives for the 2025-2027 term of the UNHRC.
Onanuga explained that Nigeria’s decision to support these candidates was in line with its leadership role in promoting African unity.
He noted that the West African bloc, ECOWAS, specifically endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members of the organization, for the upcoming term.
Nigeria’s efforts were focused on ensuring that Africa spoke with one voice during this critical election, emphasizing collective representation rather than vying for a seat for itself.
“There was no competition within the African regional group,” Onanuga stated.
“The continent fielded exactly five candidates for five available seats, and all of them were elected without opposition.
Nigeria’s absence from the ballot was a deliberate choice, not an oversight, and any claims of a snub are entirely unfounded.”
Onanuga also highlighted that Nigeria had followed a similar path in previous elections. In 2023, the country did not seek election to the UNHRC either, despite misleading reports that suggested otherwise.
In fact, during that year, a Nigerian media outlet incorrectly claimed the country had received three votes, a mistake that has unfortunately resurfaced in some of the more recent coverage of the 2024 elections.
“This false narrative keeps being rehashed,” Onanuga continued. “For the record, Nigeria was not on the ballot during the October 9 election.
“Any votes recorded for our country were cast in error by countries that mistakenly believed Nigeria was participating.”
He went on to explain the broader context of international elections to bodies like the UNHRC, where countries seeking seats typically receive endorsements from their regional blocs.
Nigeria, a nation with a strong track record of leadership within the African Union and ECOWAS, played a pivotal role in supporting the African candidates.
This strategic move was seen as part of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Africa is represented in a united and cohesive manner on the global stage.
“President Tinubu has consistently worked to strengthen Africa’s voice internationally,” Onanuga said. “By focusing on collective representation, Nigeria reaffirms its dedication to fostering cooperation and unity across the continent.”
Media Houses Urged to Verify Information Before Publishing
The Special Adviser also took the opportunity to call out media outlets for failing to properly verify their information.
He pointed out that some reports failed to cross-check facts with key sources, such as Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its mission in New York, before publishing stories suggesting Nigeria had been snubbed.
“Journalists must do their due diligence when reporting on international matters of such significance,” Onanuga stressed.
“There was no coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Nigeria’s mission at the UN.
Misinformation like this not only misleads the public but also tarnishes the country’s image on the international stage,” Onanuga stressed.
He further urged Nigerians to avoid rushing to criticize their own country, especially in matters of global importance.
“It’s easy to jump to conclusions and disparage our nation, but we must be more thoughtful and informed, especially when it comes to our standing in the international community,” Onanuga remarked.
Facts on the UN HRC Election
The election in question saw 18 new members elected to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.
The Council, a key intergovernmental body within the UN system, is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.
The election was conducted through secret ballot, and the newly elected members will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2025, replacing those whose terms expire on December 31, 2024.
Countries elected alongside the African candidates include Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Iceland, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand.
Notably, several outgoing members—such as Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India, and Somalia—were ineligible for immediate re-election, having already served two consecutive terms.
Onanuga concluded by reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation and collective African representation.
“Furthermore, this election reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the African voice in global affairs. Nigeria is focused on the bigger picture, and we will continue to work for the good of the continent and the world.”
He stressed that the UN Human Rights Council plays a critical role in addressing human rights violations and making recommendations to promote the rights of people globally.
So, for Nigeria, focusing on collective African representation demonstrates its ongoing dedication to advancing not only its national interests but the interests of the African continent as a whole.
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