A routine ambassadorial screening at the Senate on Thursday devolved into an open confrontation as Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume clashed over comments made during the appearance of former presidential aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, one of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees.
Trouble began when Oshiomhole attempted to raise concerns about Omokri’s nomination after Ndume had moved that the nominees seated before the Foreign Affairs Committee should be allowed to take a bow and leave.
He said: “In view of the fact that four of the nominees before us are career ambassadors and ambassadors before and also the last among the nominees, Reno, is somebody that I personally love for the past 25 years compared for his character. Therefore, Mr Chairman, I again want to move that these nominees take a bow and go. I so move.”
But Senator Oshiomhole disagreed with his suggestion, declaring: “Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list.”
Senator Ndume immediately interrupted, insisting the former Governor was breaching 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 said sharply.
But Oshiomhole refused to yield, raising his voice as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Bello, struggled to maintain order. “Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” Oshiomhole shouted.
Trying to restore calm, Bello warned: “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”
Oshiomhole pressed on, saying the Senate could not ignore certain issues tied to Omokri’s nomination. “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!”
That comment triggered a political jab from Oshiomhole, who retorted: “When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen. You have to have that large heart for forgiveness. For me, President Bola Tinubu has shown real quality—that the fact that you criticised me during the election and abused me doesn’t mean I should not appoint you.”
A visibly irritated Ndume responded: “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
Sensing rising tempers, Bello stepped in again, saying: “Senator Adams, you have made your point very clear. But there is a motion on the ground,” eventually restoring order.
Throughout the heated exchange, Omokri sat rigidly, watching as senators bickered over his nomination.
Earlier, former Minister of Defence, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, among others, were screened without any incident.
The confirmation of the nominees will be done in plenary when the Foreign Affairs Committee submits its report for consideration.
Credit: The Sun