The presidency has confirmed that Nigeria did not participate in the elections for the United Nations Human Rights Council held on October 9, 2024.
A press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, clarified that Nigeria was not overlooked in the recent election.
The statement also mentioned that any votes mistakenly attributed to Nigeria were likely cast in error by other countries.
A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, emphasized that Nigeria was not overlooked in the recent election.
It also noted that any votes mistakenly assigned to Nigeria were probably cast in error by other nations.
Onanuga said apart from Benin and the Gambia, other elected members to the council were Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.
He said, “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.”
He noted that 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.
