The Senate screening of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees took a dramatic turn on Thursday when two senior lawmakers Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) clashed openly over the nomination of former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
Omokri, who sat quietly in Room 301 of the National Assembly Complex, watched as the lawmakers engaged in a tense back-and-forth that briefly disrupted the proceedings of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The confrontation began when Oshiomhole attempted to speak on Omokri’s nomination.
“Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list,” Oshiomhole said.
Ndume quickly interrupted him, insisting that Oshiomhole was ignoring Senate procedure. “The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead,” he cautioned.
But Oshiomhole was undeterred. Raising his voice, he insisted he should be allowed to continue. “Just allow me to continue… Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he demanded.
Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North), struggled to restore calm as the session grew rowdy. He reminded Oshiomhole that his time was almost up, but the former Edo governor pressed on.
“I need to speak on this in the public interest, particularly the nomination of Reno. We cannot pretend we haven’t heard stories,” Oshiomhole argued.
Ndume countered sharply, saying, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
This triggered a political dig from Oshiomhole, who remarked “When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen… You have to have that large heart for forgiveness. President Tinubu has shown real quality, even if you criticise him, he can still appoint you.”
Ndume, visibly offended, fired back “You had never even dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
Realising the exchange was escalating, the committee chairman intervened again, urging Oshiomhole to yield to the motion already on the floor. Order was eventually restored.
Throughout the drama, Omokri remained stiff and expressionless, uncertain about how the heated argument might influence his screening outcome.
Thursday’s clash came barely a day after another embarrassing moment for the committee.
On Wednesday, one of Tinubu’s career ambassador-nominees, Emmanuel Adeyemi, a seasoned diplomat who previously served in Hong Kong and France shocked senators when he failed to name all three senators representing his home state, Ekiti.
Adeyemi correctly identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but stumbled when asked to name the third senator. A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the answer and said Senator Cyril Fasuyi, a replied that prompt outrage from lawmakers.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) lamented the declining preparedness of top-level nominees. He was supported by Oshiomhole and Senator Seriake Dickson, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Bamidele, pleaded on Adeyemi’s behalf.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti State, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
Advertisement
