Big diplomatic overhaul: Tinubu’s 65 envoy picks brace for Senate storm

President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees will face rigorous Senate grilling next week as part of their confirmation process.

Three notable opposition senators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the screening would not be ‘business as usual,’ hinting at plans to put several of the nominees on the spot.

‘’Our current situation requires seasoned and knowledgeable men and women who can represent and defend Nigeria’s interests before the international community. Ambassadorial position is  not all about political patronage or  job for the boys and this is why we would ensure that those that would represent Nigeria at the foreign missions are patriotic individuals who have integrity,’’ a ranking senator noted.

Another lawmaker said the nominees would be properly grilled to ensure they are ‘’fit for purpose.’’

 On Thursday, the Senate received the President’s request for the confirmation of the nominees—one of the administration’s largest diplomatic submissions yet.

The request, read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, contained two lists: 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non-career nominees.

The latest transmission came less than 24 hours after lawmakers began screening an initial set of three nominees earlier forwarded by the President.

Citing Section 171 (1), (2) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu urged the upper chamber to “consider and confirm expeditiously” 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors.

“I am pleased to present for confirmation the list of the 32 ambassadorial nominees for the positions of career ambassadors, non-career ambassadors and high commissioners,” the letter partly stated.

Notable career diplomats on the list include Ambassadors Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno) and  Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa).

Prominent non-career nominees include former Chief of Naval Staff and ex-Rivers State military administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.)from Cross River; former presidential aide and ex-senator, Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.),  from Kano.

Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with a one-week deadline to conclude screenings and submit its report. ‘’The committee is to report back to us in one week,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Senate commenced the screening of Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo), who were earlier nominated by the President. The committee chairman, Senator Sani Bello, disclosed that Oke used the session to address and clear allegations previously levelled against him.

The report on the three nominees is expected to be presented to the full Senate in the coming days, even as lawmakers begin processing the newly transmitted list.

 The staggered submissions appear to be part of the administration’s phased strategy to fill critical diplomatic positions ahead of an anticipated major shake-up in Nigeria’s foreign missions.

List of nominees

The career ambassadors are: Amb. Ezenwa Chukwuemeka (Abia); Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa); Monica Ogochukwu (Anambra); Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele (Bauchi); Endoni Sindo (Bayelsa); Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Minguno (Borno); Jane Adams Okon Michael (Cross River); Clark Omeruo Alexandra (Delta); Chimma Geoffrey Davies (Ebonyi); Oduma Yvonne Ehinose (Edo); Wasa Segun Ige (Edo); Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel (Ekiti); Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley (Enugu); Magaji Umar (Jigawa); Mohammed Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna); AbdulSalam Abus Zayat (Kano); Shehu Barde (Katsina); Aminu Nasiu (Katsina); Abubakar Musa Musa (Kebbi); Mohammed Idris (Kebbi); Bako Adamu Umar (Kogi); Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara); Ramata Mohammed (Lagos); Shaga John Shama (Nasarawa); Salau Hamza Mohammed (Niger); Ibrahim Danlami (Niger); Adeola Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun); Ruben Abimbola Samuel (Ondo); Akande Wahab Adekola (Osun); Adedokun Esther (Oyo); Gedagi Joseph John (Plateau); Luther Obomode Ayokalata (Rivers); Danladi Yakubu Yaku (Taraba); and Bello Dogondaji (Zamfara).

The non-career ambassadors include: Senator Grace Bent (Adamawa); Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); Nkechi Linda Okocha (Anambra); Mahmud Yakubu (Bauchi); Philip K. Ikurusi (Bayelsa); Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue); Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) (Cross River); Abasi Braimah (Edo); Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti); Barr. Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa (Ekiti); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Chioma Ohakim (Imo); Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd.) (Kano); Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina); Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliyu (Kogi); Olufemi Pedro (Lagos); Barr. Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu (Nasarawa); Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo); Ambassador Joseph Sola Iji (Ondo); Fani-Kayode (Osun); Professor O. Adewole (Osun); Florence Ajimobi (Oyo); Lola Akande (Oyo); Professor Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau); Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau); Chukwujinka Okocha (Rivers); Haruna Abubakar (Sokoto); Jerry Samuel Manwe (Taraba); and Adamu Garba Talba (Yobe).

Ardo  Zubairu 
National Secretary 
TInubu Re- Election Project 2027 . Office Phones: 
08033305195
08098885195
07033454053

Follow this link to join  https://chat.whatsapp.com/GGyI5S8pxi78dcZ3fKciGB


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