Nigeria Was Not Snubbed In The 2024 UN Human Rights Council Election, Says Presidency

The presidency has denied reports that Nigeria was snubbed in the recent elections for the Human Rights Council at the United Nations.

According to the presidency, Nigeria was not a candidate in the 2024 cycle of UN Human Rights Council Elections, countering claims that the country lost to other African nations in the recent polls.

On October 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.

The newly elected members 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, which comprises 47 member states, is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.

The election, conducted via secret ballot, determined which countries would fill three-year terms starting January 1, 2025, replacing those whose terms expire on December 31, 2024.

While Nigeria was reportedly overlooked for membership due to its human rights record, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that Nigeria did not participate in the HR election and instead focused on supporting five endorsed candidates to enhance collective African representation.

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 mentioned that the endorsed candidates from the African regional group include Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia, and noted that they successfully secured all five available seats.

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.”

Onanuga stated that any votes recorded for Nigeria were cast in error during the secret balloting by other countries that mistakenly believed 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.

“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,” said the presidential aide.