The Senate’s screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees took a contentious turn on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) engaged in a heated confrontation over the nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The altercation unfolded during the second day of deliberations on the 65 career and non-career nominees forwarded to the Senate last week.
Omokri, seated quietly in Room 301 of the Senate building, observed as both lawmakers clashed over procedure and politics.
Tension mounted when Oshiomhole began speaking on Omokri’s nomination.
“I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list,” he said.
Ndume cut in sharply, insisting on adherence to Senate rules.
“The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it is dead,” he declared.
Oshiomhole refused to back down; raising his voice, he said, “Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me.”
Committee chairman, Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North), struggled to restore calm.
“Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude,” he cautioned.
Oshiomhole pressed on, arguing that public interest demanded scrutiny of Omokri’s nomination. Ndume responded forcefully: “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
READ ALSO: Amid Trump’s Threat, Tinubu Moves To Fill Ambassadorial Vacancies
The exchange escalated when Oshiomhole made a political dig.
“When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen. You have to have that large heart for forgiveness. President Bola Tinubu has shown real quality in that criticism during an election does not bar anyone from being appointed.”
Ndume fired back: “You had never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
The chairman intervened again, urging both senators to step back and proceed with the motion before the committee.
Omokri remained still throughout the heated exchanges, uncertain about how the confrontation would influence the assessment of his nomination.
Ambassadorial Nominee Fails To Recall the Full names of His State Senators
Thursday’s incident followed another controversy that rocked the Foreign Affairs Committee a day earlier, when ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi failed to recall the full list of senators from his home state of Ekiti.
Adeyemi correctly named Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu but faltered on the third name.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Nominates Ex-INEC chair, Omokri, 30 Others As Ambassadors
A member of his entourage attempted to search online for the missing senator, Cyril Fasuyi, drawing strong disapproval from lawmakers.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) criticised the declining preparedness among nominees. Oshiomhole and Senator Seriake Dickson supported his concerns, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, standing in for Bamidele, urged leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
