The Nigerian presidency has clarified that the country did not participate in the 2024 United Nations Human Rights Council elections, which took place on October 9, 2024. In a press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, it was emphasized that Nigeria was not “snubbed” during the elections, as some media reports suggested.
The statement explained that any votes mistakenly attributed to Nigeria in the election were likely the result of errors made by other nations during the voting process. It further highlighted that, in line with elections into international bodies, countries typically receive regional endorsements, and Nigeria’s focus has been on supporting endorsed African candidates to strengthen the continent’s representation on the global stage.
The presidency also called on media outlets to ensure the accuracy of their reporting, urging them to verify information before publication. The statement cautioned against the spread of misleading narratives that could potentially damage Nigeria’s reputation in international affairs.
