By Adekoya Samson, Abuja.
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 took a dramatic turn when an Ekiti nominee, Adeyemi Emmanuel, failed to mention all three senators representing his state.
Emmanuel, an experienced career diplomat and Acting Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, initially performed strongly. However, when asked to identify Ekiti State senators, he named Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South) but failed to recall Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North).
The omission immediately drew concerns from committee members, with Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong pressing Emmanuel to supply the missing name. He described the lapse as part of a “worrying trend” among nominees.
“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,” Ekpenyong said.
Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson supported the observation, while Senator Yunus Akintunde urged the panel to show leniency but expressed disappointment that Emmanuel’s aides did not prepare him adequately.
Despite the misstep, Emmanuel highlighted his extensive foreign postings in Addis Ababa, Hong Kong, and France, as well as his doctorate in International Relations. He is one of three Ekiti nominees, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
The committee also screened several career diplomats including Ahmed Sulu Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar, and Aminu Nasir.
A major highlight was the appearance of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), who presented his CV but—following Senate tradition for serving and former lawmakers—was simply asked to “take a bow,” earning applause from colleagues.
President Tinubu had last week forwarded 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, urging their swift confirmation in accordance with Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution. The list includes ex–service chiefs such as Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd.), and former presidential aide Ita Enang.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has given the Foreign Affairs Committee one week to conclude its work. Wednesday’s exercise marked the second phase of the screening, following last week’s appearance by nominees such as Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ayodele Oke.
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