By Comfort Asemota
The Senate’s ongoing screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees took a dramatic turn on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) clashed openly over the nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The confrontation unfolded during the second day of scrutiny of Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the upper chamber last week.
Omokri, seated quietly in Room 301 of the Senate building, watched as two of the chamber’s most assertive lawmakers engaged in a tense exchange that blended procedure, politics, and personal barbs.
Tension escalated shortly after Oshiomhole began commenting on Omokri’s nomination.
“Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. We see people on television questioning this list,” Oshiomhole said.
Ndume quickly interjected, insisting that Senate rules must be followed.
“The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it must be seconded. If it is not seconded, it is dead,” he retorted.
Oshiomhole, however, refused to be interrupted. Raising his voice, he pressed on.
“Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he shouted.
Committee chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) attempted to restore order as the session grew chaotic.
Pointing toward Oshiomhole, Bello urged, “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”
Leaning forward, Oshiomhole insisted on making his point.
“I think I need to speak on this in the public interest regarding Reno’s nomination. We cannot pretend we haven’t heard stories,” he said.
Ndume immediately shot back: “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
Oshiomhole continued, “When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen. You need a large heart for forgiveness. President Bola Tinubu has shown quality leadership by appointing people who criticised him.”
Ndume, visibly agitated, replied: “You never even dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
Bello stepped in again to defuse the rising hostility.
“Senator Adams, you have made your point. But there is a motion on the floor,” he cautioned, eventually calming the room.
Throughout the confrontation, Omokri remained visibly tense, uncertain how the dispute might affect his nomination.
Thursday’s drama came just a day after another controversy gripped the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
On Wednesday, career ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi—a seasoned diplomat with postings in Hong Kong and France—stunned lawmakers when he failed to name all three senators representing his home state of Ekiti.
Adeyemi correctly identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but struggled to recall Senator Cyril Fasuyi. A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the answer, provoking outrage.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong criticised the lack of preparedness among top-level nominees, while Senators Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson echoed his concerns. Senator Yunus Akintunde, standing in for Bamidele, appealed for leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
