Senate refutes receiving petitions against Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees

File photo of the Senate

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The Senate on Thursday dismissed reports that it had received petitions or letters of protest against any of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees currently undergoing screening.

The clarification followed unverified claims circulating in political circles and on social media, alleging that some nominees, including former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; ex-presidential aide, Reno Omokri; and a former INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were facing opposition ahead of their confirmation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH midway into Thursday’s proceedings, Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that no petition had been submitted to the upper chamber.

When asked specifically about the alleged petitions, Adaramodu said he was not aware of any formal complaint.

He said, “I am telling you that we didn’t receive petitions from anybody, organisation or legal entity. Not even from any faceless, outlawed and rogue element. There was no petition against any nominee.”

The ambassadorial screening, handled by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, entered its second day on Thursday with several high-profile nominees appearing before lawmakers.

The exercise has attracted heightened public interest, especially amid controversies surrounding some nominees’ political pasts and eligibility.

Providing an update on the screening progress, Adaramodu noted that lawmakers had already handled more than half of the nominees.

“So far, within the last one and a half days, they have screened more than half. Let me say they have screened not less than 40 now,” he said.

However, The PUNCH could not independently verify as of press time whether all 65 nominees had been screened.

Adaramodu also faulted claims that all nominees were simply asked to “take a bow and go,” a practice often criticised as superficial.

He said screening sessions since Wednesday had involved substantive questioning.

“It is not true. Since yesterday (Wednesday), they were being questioned on their capacity and capability during the screening. Today is also not different,” he said.

Adaramodu explained that most nominees had already undergone intensive vetting by security agencies, including background checks by the Department of State Services and clearance processes through INEC for those previously involved in elections.

According to him, the Senate only refrains from overreaching into areas already covered by statutory vetting institutions.

“Besides, they have gone through all the rigours and crucibles of screening, either from INEC and security agencies, so much that we have little or nothing more to add, except anybody is bringing up complaints or issues.

“When that one is brought up, we will treat it. We will not tell the person to take it back,” he said.

He added, “So I am assuring that all other nominees are undergoing the crucibles. We have been questioning them since yesterday and even tested their competence.”

The screening exercise is expected to conclude this week, paving the way for the Senate to either confirm or reject the nominees in the coming days.

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

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