Oshiomhole, Ndume clash as Senate screens Omokri, Dambazzau, Mahmood, others

A dramatic confrontation broke out on Thursday during the Senate’s screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees as Adams Oshiomhole (APC Senator, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC Senator, Borno South) openly clashed over the nomination of former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri.

The incident marked the tensest moment yet in the ongoing screening of the President’s 65 career and non-career nominees, which entered its second day at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Omokri, best known as a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and an outspoken political commentator with a history of public altercations with several political figures, sat stiffly in Room 301 as the two senators locked horns over whether his nomination should attract further deliberation.

Read also: Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominee falters at Senate screening after failing to name Ekiti senators

Tension mounted when Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and ex-APC national chairman, began to comment on Omokri’s suitability.

Oshiomhole said, “Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list.”

Ndume cut in sharply, insisting that Oshiomhole could not continue speaking without following Senate procedure.

Senator Ndume shouted, “The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground that should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead.”

But Oshiomhole refused to yield, raising his voice.

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

Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North), who chairs the foreign Affairs Committee in chairge of the screening, struggled to restore calm.

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

Leaning forward, Oshiomhole doubled down on his concerns.

He added,  “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.”

Ndume immediately countered.

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

That retort provoked a political jab from Oshiomhole, one that deepened the row.

Oshiomhole stated, “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.”

Ndume, visibly angered, responded in kind.

Read also: What Nigeria’s latest ambassadorial picks reveal

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

The exchange forced the Committee Chairman to intervene once again.

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

Omokri, who has previously been at the centre of national controversies, including his online battles and his polarizing activism, remained silent throughout the confrontation.

Despite the storm, he was eventually asked to “bow and go,” clearing a crucial legislative hurdle toward becoming a Nigerian ambassador.

Thursday’s drama unfolded amid a screening process marked by expedited approvals for many high-profile nominees.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs extended the traditional “bow and go” privilege to former ministers, ex-governors, former National Assembly members, and senior government officials. Those who benefitted include:

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, a figure long embroiled in controversies involving money laundering, political realignments and inflammatory public commentary, was also asked a take-a-bow-and-go.

Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Interior Minister; Mahmud Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, former Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

Ita Enang, former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters; former Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and former Ambassadors and First Ladies.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the practice, noting that individuals who had served in high public positions were traditionally accorded the privilege.

Thursday’s clash followed a separate embarrassment at the screening venue barely 24 hours earlier.

On Wednesday, career diplomat Emmanuel Adeyemi—who has served in Hong Kong and France—stunned senators when he failed to name all three lawmakers representing his home State of Ekiti.

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

Earlier on Thursday, proceedings were delayed after senators, nominees, aides and journalists scrambled for space in the packed Hearing Room 221.

The session was later relocated to a larger venue.

Read also: Why President ambassadorial list evoked controversy Nigerians

Once order was restored, the committee attended to nominees swiftly.until Omokri’s turn reignited tensions.

Despite the turbulence, Omokri faced no direct questions and was eventually permitted to “bow and go,” keeping his ambassadorial prospects alive.

The Senate Committee is expected to forward its screening report to the plenary in the coming days.

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