BY JOHN DANJUMA

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday approved the nomination of several high-profile figures, including former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-presidential adviser Reno Omokri, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent for appointment as ambassadors.

Their clearance added to a growing list that also featured former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

But the process that appeared straightforward soon took a dramatic turn. The screening, conducted in batches of five, was moving routinely until tensions rose between Senators Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) over Omokri’s nomination.

The clash underscored the sensitivity surrounding some candidates, particularly the political heavyweights among the 65 individuals President Bola Tinubu submitted for consideration.

With prominent names such as Yakubu, Dambazau, Fani-Kayode and former Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas also lined up for screening, the session carried an air of political weight. Yet it was the moment Ndume proposed that Omokri and others be allowed to “take a bow and go”—a parliamentary shortcut that shifted the chamber’s energy.

Reinforcing his motion, Ndume vouched for Omokri’s suitability, saying he had known him for over 25 years. However, Oshiomhole refused to second the motion, insisting he had comments to make.

That refusal quickly escalated into a verbal confrontation, with Ndume accusing him of obstruction and Oshiomhole firing back, branding Ndume a “hypocrite” and invoking past political disputes. The exchange drew audible reactions from the chamber, prompting colleagues to intervene.

The tension spilled into the broader proceedings. As the Senate entered its second day of screening Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees, Omokri, quietly observing from his seat, became the centerpiece of an unexpected procedural battle between two of the Senate’s most assertive voices.

Trouble began when Oshiomhole insisted on speaking about Omokri’s nomination, declaring he would not be intimidated by anyone questioning his stance. Ndume cut in immediately, arguing that the Senate rules required the motion to be seconded before any debate could proceed.

Oshiomhole pressed on, raising his voice and appealing to the Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Bello for protection, insisting that he had already been granted the floor.

The chairman attempted to calm the situation, urging him to conclude his remarks, but Oshiomhole continued, arguing that “stories” surrounding Omokri could not be ignored.

Ndume pushed back sharply, reiterating that no petition had been submitted and reminding the chamber that “the Senate is not a joke.” The back-and-forth soon devolved into personal jabs, with Oshiomhole highlighting his experience as a former governor, and Ndume retorting that Oshiomhole “had never dreamed of being a senator” when he first became one.

It took repeated interventions from Chairman Bello to restore decorum and remind the lawmakers of the motion on the floor. With calm eventually re-established, the committee permitted Omokri to “take a bow and go,” allowing him to exit the process without any formal questioning.

Omokri’s easy passage revived public debate over his fierce criticism of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, raising questions about whether a vocal critic could effectively represent the country abroad. Yet the Senate’s decision suggested a willingness to expedite the confirmation of high-profile nominees regardless of past political tensions.

The session also highlighted the Senate’s broader reliance on the “bow and go” tradition. Former governors, ministers, first ladies, and career diplomats were cleared with minimal scrutiny, an approach Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended as a way of honouring their public service while speeding up the process.

President Tinubu’s list of 65 nominees—comprised of 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career appointees—had earlier drawn criticism, notably from Ndume himself, who argued that it did not fully reflect the federal character principle. Yet during the screening, he appeared notably more accommodating, revealing the political complexities underpinning the confirmations.