Awkward Moment as Tinubu’s Nominee Can’t List Ekiti’s Three Senators

A Senate screening for ambassadorial nominees took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when Emmanuel Adeyemi, one of the candidates from Ekiti State, faltered while attempting to identify all three senators representing his home state.

Adeyemi, a deputy director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with international experience in Hong Kong and France, had made a strong impression on the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs—until he attempted to acknowledge what he thought were “the two senators” from Ekiti. He named Opeyemi Bamidele and Yemi Adaramodu, then fell silent.

Lawmakers reminded him that every state has three senators, prompting confusion among his delegation, with one aide hurriedly searching online for the missing name—Senator Cyril Fasuyi. The moment sparked frustration within the chamber.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong described the incident as a worrying sign of declining standards among public office nominees, stressing that anyone representing the country abroad should have basic knowledge of their state’s federal representation. Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson echoed the criticism, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, appearing on behalf of Bamidele, appealed to colleagues to overlook the lapse, though he admitted the frantic search for answers was disappointing.

Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika. The committee also screened several other career diplomats including Ahmed Sulu Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar and Aminu Nasir. A brief surprise occurred when Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, not originally scheduled for the day, was invited to take a bow.

The large slate of 65 nominees, submitted last week, reflects a major shake-up in Nigeria’s foreign service. The list includes established diplomats as well as political figures such as Ita Enang, retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas and retired army chief Abdulrahman Dambazzau. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has given the Foreign Affairs Committee one week to complete the screenings.

Wednesday’s session formed the second leg of the process. An earlier group—Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu and Ayodele Oke—had already appeared, with Oke using his time to address past allegations. The staggered schedule, according to insiders, is part of a broader plan to realign Nigeria’s diplomatic missions ahead of extensive reforms.