AMBASSADORIAL SCREENING: OSHIOMOLE, NDUME CLASH OVER OMOKRI

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BY ALICE IDOWU

Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) had a public disagreement on Thursday in Abuja about the appointment of former presidential adviser Reno Omokri as an ambassador.

The argument happened on the second day of the Senate’s review of Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees, both from career and non–career backgrounds, which were sent to the Senate last week.

Omokri, who was sitting in Room 301 of the Senate building, stayed quiet while two of the Senate’s most active members argued fiercely over the nomination process and its political implications.

The disagreement started when Oshiomhole began speaking about 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 immediately cut in, insisting that Senate procedure must be followed.

“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 said.

But Oshiomhole refused to yield. The former Edo governor raised his voice and pressed on.

“Just allow me to continue (with what I am saying). Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he yelled.

Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) struggled to regain order as the session turned rowdy.

Pointing toward Oshiomhole, he cautioned, “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”

A composed Oshiomhole leaned forward.

“All right! Mr Chairman, I think I need to speak on this in the public interest, with particular reference to the nomination of Reno. We cannot pretend we have not heard stories,” he said.

Ndume fired back again, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”

On Wednesday, one of Tinubu’s career ambassadorial nominees, Emmanuel Adeyemi—a skilled diplomat who has worked in Hong Kong and France—surprised lawmakers when he couldn’t recall all three senators representing his home state, Ekiti.