Tensions flared in the Senate on Thursday as two senior lawmakers, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), engaged in a heated confrontation over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The clash unfolded during the second day of screening for President Bola Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees. Omokri, seated quietly in Room 301 of the Senate building, watched the fiery exchange between two of the chamber’s most outspoken figures.
Trouble began shortly after Oshiomhole commenced remarks on Omokri’s candidacy, prompting him to declare, “I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list.”
Ndume, known for his adherence to parliamentary procedure, immediately interjected. “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 asserted.
But Oshiomhole would not back down. Becoming visibly agitated, he raised his voice, insisting: “Just allow me to continue. Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me.”
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As the session grew disorderly, Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) struggled to restore calm. Gesturing towards Oshiomhole, he warned, “Senator Adams, your time is going. Please conclude.”
Oshiomhole pressed on. “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 pointedly.
Ndume again countered, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”
This prompted 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 quality — that the fact you criticised me and abused me during the election doesn’t mean I should not appoint you.”
Ndume, bristling, fired back: “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”
The Committee Chairman again intervened to prevent the heated exchange from further deteriorating, eventually restoring order.
Throughout the confrontation, Omokri remained stiff and silent, unsure of how the drama might influence the committee’s perception of his nomination.
The incident came a day after another embarrassment at the Foreign Affairs Committee, when career ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi stunned senators by failing to name all three senators representing his home state of Ekiti. His entourage’s attempt to “Google” the missing name — Senator Cyril Fasuyi — triggered outrage.
Adeyemi, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika, is one of three nominees from Ekiti State.
