The screening of President Bola Tinubu ambassadorial nominees turn heated on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) jam each other openly over the nomination of former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, for Abuja.
The drama happen during the second day of Senate screening for the 65 career and non-career ambassadors wey Tinubu send to the upper chamber last week.
Omokri sit down quietly for Room 301 as two strong voices inside the Senate use procedural and political argument take face each other.
Wetin Cause the Clash
Tension start immediately Oshiomhole begin talk about Omokri nomination.
Oshiomhole talk say:
Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list.
Ndume sharply interrupt am, insisting say Senate must follow correct procedure.
Ndume reply:
The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground that should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead.
Oshiomhole no gree stop. He raise voice and continue him point:
Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me.
The committee chairman, Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North), try restore order as the session begin scatter small.
Bello caution am:
Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.
Oshiomhole, Ndume Exchange Hot Words
Oshiomhole lean forward and continue:
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.
Ndume no allow am go further. He fire back:
There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!
That one provoke sharp political jab from Oshiomhole:
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.
Ndume, wey don vex, return fire:
You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.
Seeing say things fit escalate, the chairman shut the back-and-forth down:
Senator Adams, you have made your point. But there is a motion on the ground.
Finally, calm return for the committee room as senators reset.
All through the matter, Omokri just sit down, stiff and silent, wondering how the gbas gbos go affect Senate judgement on his nomination.
Another Drama Happened Day Before
The Thursday clash come barely 24 hours after another embarrassing moment rock the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
One of Tinubu career ambassadorial nominees, Emmanuel Adeyemi, wey don work for Hong Kong and France, shock senators when he no fit name the three senators representing his home state, Ekiti.
He mention Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but freeze when dem ask for the third.
One member of his team even try Google the answer, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, and senators vex well-well.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) lament say top nominees no dey prepare well again.
Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson support Ekpenyong, while Senator Yunus Akintunde beg make dem forgive the nominee.
Adeyemi na one of the three nominees from Ekiti, together with Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
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