A fiery exchange unfolded in the Senate on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) clashed over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The confrontation took place during the second day of the Senate’s screening of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees, comprising both career and non-career appointments, which were transmitted to the upper chamber last week.
Omokri, seated quietly in Room 301, witnessed the heated procedural and political dispute between two of the chamber’s most vocal senators.
Tensions escalated shortly after Oshiomhole began voicing concerns about 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,” Oshiomhole declared.
Ndume immediately interjected, emphasizing strict adherence to Senate procedures.
“The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead,” Ndume insisted.
Refusing to back down, Oshiomhole raised his voice, appealing to the committee chairman.
“Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he urged.
Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) struggled to maintain order amid the rising tension, reminding Oshiomhole, “Your time is going. Please conclude.”
Oshiomhole leaned forward and continued, “All right! Mr Chairman, I think I need to speak on this in the public interest, particularly with reference to the nomination of Reno. We cannot pretend we have not heard stories.”
Ndume quickly fired back, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
Oshiomhole responded with a pointed political jab: “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 you criticised me during the election and abused me doesn’t mean I shouldn’t appoint you.”
Ndume, visibly irritated, retorted, “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
The committee chairman then intervened to quell the escalating tension: “Senator Adams, you have made your point very clear. But there is a motion on the ground,” he cautioned, restoring order.
Throughout the exchange, Omokri remained composed but visibly uncertain about how the confrontation might influence Senate opinion on his nomination.
The drama came just a day after another controversy rocked the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
On Wednesday, one of Tinubu’s career ambassadorial nominees, Emmanuel Adeyemi, an experienced diplomat with postings in Hong Kong and France, shocked senators by failing to name all three senators representing his home state, Ekiti.
Adeyemi confidently identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu but froze when asked about the third senator. An aide in his entourage resorted to “Googling” the answer—Senator Cyril Fasuyi—drawing lawmakers’ ire.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) criticized what he described as diminishing preparedness among top-level nominees. His concerns were backed by Senators Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson, while 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.
As the screening continues, the Senate appears set to hold Tinubu’s nominees to rigorous scrutiny, with tensions running high on procedural and political fronts.
