Oshiomhole, Ndume clash over Omokri’s ambassadorial screening

File photo of the Senate

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Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) openly clashed on Thursday over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri in Abuja.

The confrontation erupted during the second day of the ongoing screening of Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees transmitted to the Senate last week.

Omokri—seated in Room 301 of the Senate building—watched in silence as two of the chamber’s most vocal figures faced off in a heated procedural and political exchange.

Tension rose shortly after Oshiomhole began making remarks on 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 said.

Ndume immediately cut in, insisting that Senate procedure 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.

But Oshiomhole refused to yield. The former Edo governor raised his voice and pressed on.

“Just allow me to continue (with what I am saying). Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he yelled.

Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) struggled to regain order as the session turned rowdy.

Pointing toward Oshiomhole, he cautioned, “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”

A composed Oshiomhole leaned forward.

“All right! Mr Chairman, I think I need to speak on this in the public interest, with particular reference to the nomination of Reno. We cannot pretend we have not heard stories,” he said.

Ndume fired back again, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”

That comment triggered a political jab from Oshiomhole.

“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 that you criticised me during the election and abused me doesn’t mean I should not appoint you,” he stated.

Ndume, visibly irked, hit back, “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”

Sensing escalating tensions, the Committee Chairman intervened once more.

“Senator Adams, you have made your point very clear. But there is a motion on the ground,” he cautioned, eventually restoring order.

Throughout the exchange, Omokri remained stiffly in his seat, uncertain how the confrontation might shape Senate perception of his nomination.

Thursday’s drama came barely 24 hours after a separate controversy rattled the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

On Wednesday, one of Tinubu’s career ambassadorial nominees, Emmanuel Adeyemi—an accomplished diplomat with stints in Hong Kong and France—stunned senators when he failed to name all three lawmakers representing his home state of Ekiti.

Adeyemi had confidently listed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but froze when asked to name the third senator.

A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the answer—Senator Cyril Fasuyi—drawing outrage from lawmakers.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) lamented what he described as a decline in preparedness among top-level nominees.

Senators Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson backed Ekpenyong, while Senator Yunus Akintunde—standing in for Bamidele—pleaded for clemency.

Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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