Follow us for more on
Senate firestorm: Oshiomhole, Ndume lock horns on Omokri’s nomination
Senate Screening Turns Rowdy as Oshiomhole and Ndume Clash Over Reno Omokri’s Nomination
The ongoing screening of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees took a dramatic turn on Thursday as Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) openly clashed over the nomination of former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, in Abuja.
The confrontation unfolded during the second day of the high-stakes scrutiny of Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees recently transmitted to the Senate. Omokri—seated quietly in Room 301—watched as two influential senators locked horns in a heated procedural exchange.
Tension began when Oshiomhole attempted to make comments regarding Omokri’s nomination.
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 immediately cut in, raising objections based on Senate procedure.
“The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground that should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead,” Ndume fired back.
But Oshiomhole refused to back down, raising his voice. “Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he said, prompting the committee chairman, Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North), to intervene in an attempt to restore order.
Bello cautioned, “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”
A calmer Oshiomhole leaned forward and added, “Mr Chairman, 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 quickly countered: “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
The exchange escalated further when Oshiomhole threw a political jab: “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 irritated, shot back: “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
Sensing rising tension, the chairman stepped in again: “Senator Adams, you have made your point very clear. But there is a motion on the ground.” Order was eventually restored.
Throughout the heated exchanges, Reno Omokri remained stiffly composed, uncertain about how the confrontation could influence Senate perception of his nomination.
Another Drama: Ambassadorial Nominee Fails Basic Question
Thursday’s clash came just a day after a separate controversy rocked the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
On Wednesday, career ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi shocked senators when he failed to name all three senators representing his home state of Ekiti. Adeyemi—an accomplished diplomat with postings in Hong Kong and France—mentioned Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but froze when asked to identify the third lawmaker.
A member of his entourage attempted to “Google” the answer—Senator Cyril Fasuyi—sparking outrage within the chamber.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) decried what he called a decline in preparedness among top-level nominees. Senators Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson echoed the concern, while Senator Yunus Akintunde—representing Bamidele—pleaded for leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
Comment Section