Tension flared at the Senate on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) engaged in a heated confrontation over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
The clash unfolded during the second day of the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees. Omokri, seated in Room 301 of the Senate building, watched as two of the chamber’s most outspoken members exchanged sharp words over screening procedure and political considerations.
Trouble began when Oshiomhole attempted to comment on Omokri’s nomination, declaring, “Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list.”
Ndume immediately objected, insisting that Senate rules must be followed.
“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.
Oshiomhole, however, refused to back down, raising his voice as he pushed on.
“Just allow me to continue… Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he said.
Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) repeatedly attempted to restore order, reminding Oshiomhole that his time was running out.
Oshiomhole persisted, arguing that public interest demanded transparency.
“All right! Mr Chairman, I think I need to speak on this… We cannot pretend we have not heard stories,” he said.
Ndume quickly countered, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
The dispute escalated when Oshiomhole took a political swipe, stating, “When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen… 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, visibly irritated, responded, “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
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The Committee Chairman stepped in again, asking Oshiomhole to conclude and urging senators to return to proper procedure.
Throughout the dramatic exchange, Omokri remained motionless, observing the back-and-forth that threatened to colour perceptions of his nomination.
Thursday’s confrontation came a day after another controversy at the screening session, when career ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi failed to recall the names of all three senators from his home state of Ekiti. Adeyemi, a seasoned diplomat, froze after naming Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu. A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the name of the third senator, Cyril Fasuyi, drawing outrage.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong lamented the decline in preparedness among high-level nominees, with Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson agreeing. Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Bamidele, pleaded for leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.