Senate Concern over Nominee’s Slip Sparks, Screens Ibas, Jimoh Ibrahim, Others for Ambassadorial Roles
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, on Wednesday continued the screening of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but the session was jolted by a moment of controversy involving an Ekiti nominee.
Adeyemi Emmanuel, a career diplomat and Acting Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stumbled when he failed to name the three senators representing his home state. Emmanuel correctly identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South) but omitted Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North), drawing immediate concern from committee members.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), who pressed him to provide the missing name, described the lapse as “worrying,” especially for someone nominated to represent Nigeria abroad.
“Much as we admit one man can’t know everything, it is expected that somebody nominated to represent Nigeria as an ambassador should know basic details like the senators from his state. At a time when our international image needs rebuilding, competence is key,” he said.
Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson echoed his concerns, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, standing in for the Senate Leader, urged the panel to show leniency — though he expressed disappointment that the nominee’s aides failed to offer timely support.
Despite the setback, Emmanuel defended his competence, highlighting his extensive foreign postings in Addis Ababa, Hong Kong, and France, and his doctorate in International Relations. He is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
The committee also screened several other career diplomats, including Ahmed Sulu-Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar, and Aminu Nasir.
A key highlight of the day was the appearance of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), who presented his CV before being asked to “take a bow” — a courtesy traditionally granted to serving and former lawmakers.
Also among the nominees are prominent non-career diplomats, including former presidential aide Ita Enang, former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd.).
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President Tinubu had last week forwarded 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, urging speedy confirmation in line with Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution. Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the list to the Foreign Affairs Committee with a one-week deadline.
Wednesday’s session marked the second phase of the screening, following last week’s appearance of Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo), who addressed longstanding allegations during his engagement.
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