JUST IN: Senate Committee Clears Fani-Kayode, Omokri, Yakubu, Ikpeazu, Others for Ambassadorial Posts

Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday endorsed a new slate of ambassadorial nominees, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.

Also cleared were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau; Reno Omokri, who served as a new media adviser under President Goodluck Jonathan; former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang; and Senator Grace Bent. The list further includes former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The committee screened the nominees in batches of five. Tension briefly surfaced during Omokri’s session when Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole clashed over the process.

After introductions, Ndume moved a motion for the nominees to take a bow and leave. Oshiomhole signaled his intention to comment, and Chairman Abubakar Sani Bello allowed him to speak. Ndume insisted that his motion be seconded before any intervention, triggering a sharp exchange between the two senators.

The committee will transmit its recommendations to the full Senate for final confirmation.