Three non-career ambassadors have been confirmed by the Senate, confirming President Bola Tinubu’s first round of nominations.
Two weeks after the President sent the names to the higher parliamentary house, the confirmations were made on Tuesday during plenary.
Aminu Muhammad Dalhatu of Jigawa State, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke of Oyo State, and Lateef Kayode Kolawole of Ogun State are the confirmed nominees.
According to reports, the confirmations came after the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which carried out the screening process last week, reviewed and approved the report.
After assessing the three nominees’ qualifications and eligibility for the diplomatic positions, the committee recommended them in its report.
It is important to note that 64 other ambassadorial nominees who were previously sent to the Senate by President Tinubu and examined by the committee have not yet received confirmation.
Its nominees are anticipated to be reviewed by the upper house at a later time.
On Thursday of last week, the Senate rejected allegations that it had received protest letters or petitions against any of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees who are presently being screened.
The explanation was made in response to unsubstantiated rumors that were making the rounds in political circles and on social media, implying that certain nominees—such as former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri—were encountering opposition prior to their confirmation.
In an interview with Punch halfway through Thursday’s proceedings, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated that the upper house had not received any official complaints.
“I am informing you that no organization, legal entity, or individual submitted a petition to us. Not even from any renegade, illegal, or nameless element. When challenged explicitly about the purported protest letters, he responded, “There was no petition against any nominee.”
A number of prominent contenders appeared before legislators on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs began its second day of the ambassadorial screening.
Public interest in the exercise has increased, especially in light of the controversy surrounding the political backgrounds and perceived eligibility of some nominees.
Adaramodu gave an update on the screening process, pointing out that more over half of the nominations had already been reviewed by parliamentarians.
