The Senate’s screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees descended into a public spat on Thursday as two of its most outspoken members — Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) — clashed openly over the nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The confrontation erupted during the second day of vetting for Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career nominees, submitted to the upper chamber last week. Omokri, seated stiffly in Room 301 of the Senate building, watched as the proceedings spiralled into a procedural and political showdown.
Tensions rose when Oshiomhole began making remarks on Omokri’s nomination.
“Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list,” he said.
Ndume swiftly interjected. “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 declared.
Oshiomhole refused to back down. Raising his voice, he appealed to the chair for protection.
“Just allow me to continue… Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me.”
Committee chairman Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) struggled to contain the fraying tempers. Gesturing towards Oshiomhole, he warned: “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”
Oshiomhole pressed on, saying it was “in the public interest” to comment on Omokri’s nomination, adding: “We cannot pretend we have not heard stories.”
Ndume shot back: “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
That sparked a pointed political jab.
“When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen,” Oshiomhole said. “For me, President Bola Tinubu has shown real quality — the fact that you criticised me during the election doesn’t mean I should not appoint you.”
Visibly irritated, Ndume retorted: “You had never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
Bello eventually restored order, reminding members that a motion was still pending. Throughout the exchange, Omokri remained rigid in his seat, uncertain of how the spectacle might affect his prospects.
Thursday’s row followed another embarrassment for the screening panel barely 24 hours earlier. On Wednesday, career diplomat Emmanuel Adeyemi — a nominee with postings in Hong Kong and France — faltered when asked to name the three senators representing his home state of Ekiti.
Adeyemi correctly identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but froze on the third name. A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the answer — Senator Cyril Fasuyi — provoking outrage across the chamber.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) lamented a decline in preparedness among top-level nominees, a view echoed by Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson. Senator Yunus Akintunde, standing in for Bamidele, pleaded for leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika — all now under sharper scrutiny after a week of screening room drama that has overshadowed the President’s diplomatic slate.
