The Nigerian Government has defended its nomination of Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the office of the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.

The Office of the legal counsel (OLC) of the African Union (AU) had earlier rejected the nomination of the former Minister. According to them, the nomination came after the November 30 deadline set by the ministerial committee on candidature for member countries to present their candidates.

The OLC, in a Note Verbale, stated that Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination violated Rule (11), 1, 2, and 3, Rule 12, and Rule 15(3) of the rules of procedure of the committee on candidatures within the International System of the AU.

However, the Nigerian government rebutted their claims of violation in a diplomatic document dated June 18, 2020. Nigeria said the OLC’s judgement “failed all parameters of objectivity, academic rigour and unbiased submission, a high standard for which the African Union is to be held.”

Details on https://newsbreakers.ng/wto-election-nigeria-backs-okonjo-iweala-despite-african-unions-rejection/