…Senate panel clears Fani-Kayode, Yakubu, Danbazzau, others
There was continuation of drama in the Senate on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) clashed over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The duo engaged in hot confrontation when it was turn to confirm or otherwise of Omokri during the second day of the Senate’s screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The clash occurred shortly after Oshiomhole began speaking on Omokri’s nomination, while Ndume was trying to interrupt him, but the former insisted that he should be allowed to express his views.
They almost insulted each other as the confrontation persisted even as other members of the committee, including the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) tried to calm the frayed nerves, but Oshiomhole concluded his submission.
“Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list,” Oshiomhole said while Ndume immediately interjected, emphasizing strict adherence to Senate procedure.
According to the Borno Senator, “The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead.”
However, Oshiomhole, who claimed to have seconded the motion, pleaded for protection from the committee chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North).
The chairman urged Oshiomhole to conclude his submission while also appealing to Ndume to allow him so that the committee could make progress on the assignment.
“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,” Oshiomhole added.
But Ndume responded, saying: “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke.”
Tension further rose when Oshiomhole claimed he more experience as a former governor, who has enjoyed the benevolence of President Tinubu while Ndume responded sharply by saying “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
At the end, Omokri was cleared when the committee chairman put it into votes as there was no dissenting voice by the members present.
The committee on Thursday, also approved the nomination of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent for appointment as ambassadors.
Also approved for appointment as ambassadors are former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, former Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State Victor Okezie Ikpeazu.
After brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and go,” in line with Senate tradition.
The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, defended the continued use of the “bow and go” procedure for certain nominees, saying it is reserved for individuals with established and verifiable records of public service.
Speaking during the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees, Bamidele explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege, arguing that their legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.
The screening of the ambassadorial nominees was sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s submission to the Senate on November 29, requesting that those nominated be considered and approved for appointments to the country’s foreign missions, which have been operating without ambassadors for some time now.