The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, continued the screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Recall, President Bola Tinubu forwarded to the National Assembly list of the nominees for confirmation.
Meanwhile, the committee chaired by Senator Sani Bello took an unexpected turn when a nominee from Ekiti State, Adeyemi Emmanuel, failed to name all three senators representing his state in the National Assembly.
Emmanuel, a career diplomat and Acting Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had performed impressively until he attempted to acknowledge the Ekiti senators. He correctly identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South) but omitted Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North).
The slip immediately drew reactions from members of the committee, who questioned the nominee’s preparedness and awareness of political representation from his home state.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South)pressed Emmanuel to identify the third senator, leaving him visibly unsettled. Ekpenyong described the incident as a worrying trend among public office nominees.
“Much as we admit one man can’t know everything, it is expected that somebody nominated to represent Nigeria as an ambassador should know basic details like the senators from his state. At a time when our international image needs rebuilding, competence is key,” he said.
Additionally, Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson aligned with Ekpenyong’s position, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, who represented the Senate Leader, appealed for leniency. He urged the panel to overlook the error but expressed disappointment that the nominee’s aides failed to guide him promptly.
Despite the setback, Emmanuel highlighted his extensive diplomatic experience, including postings in Addis Ababa, Hong Kong, and France, as well as a doctorate in International Relations. He is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
The committee also screened several other career diplomats, including Ahmed Sulu Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar, and Aminu Nasir.
A major highlight of the session was the appearance of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), a businessman-turned-lawmaker, who presented his Curriculum Vitae before the panel chaired by former Niger State Governor Sani Bello.
Following Senate tradition for serving and former lawmakers, Ibrahim was asked to “take a bow,” drawing applause from his colleagues.
Further recall, last week, President Tinubu transmitted 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, urging lawmakers to expedite their confirmation in line with Section 171 (1), (2), and (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The list includes seasoned diplomats such as Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), and Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa). The non-career nominees include former presidential aide Ita Enang, ex–Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd.).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier referred the nominations to the Foreign Affairs Committee, giving it one week to conclude the screening and submit its report.
Specifically, Wednesday’s exercise marked the second phase of the screening. The first batch featured Kayode Are (Ogun) Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo) with Oke addressing longstanding allegations during his session.
