The Nigerian Senate on Thursday screened and confirmed a new batch of ambassadorial nominees, including several high-profile former public officials.
Reports indicate that the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been approved for an ambassadorial role, alongside other notable figures such as former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and ex-Abia State Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The nominees appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which conducted the screenings in batches of five. Others who successfully cleared the process include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-special adviser on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan Reno Omokri, as well as former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang and Senator Grace Bent.
The screening session, however, was not without tension. During Reno Omokri’s introduction, a disagreement erupted between Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) and Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South). After Omokri’s group had presented themselves, Ndume moved a motion for the nominees to leave, but Oshiomhole and several other senators sought the opportunity to comment further.
Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, recognised Oshiomhole to speak, but Ndume insisted that his motion be formally seconded before allowing further interventions. This led to a brief but noticeable clash between the two lawmakers on the floor.
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Despite the procedural hiccup, all nominees were ultimately confirmed, marking the next step in the appointment of Nigeria’s diplomatic envoys.
