Senate Committee Concludes Ambassadorial Screenings, as Nominees Face Confirmation Hurdle
By Raphael Ekpang
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, concluded the screening of the ambassadorial nominees on Thursday, a session that featured Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, Reno Omokri and several others. The nominees were made to understand that the exercise is only a preliminary step before full confirmation by the entire Senate at the plenary.
The committee chairman, Senator Bello, while announcing the end of the screening, noted that all nominees, with the exception of one from Yobe State who did not appear, had been assessed. He stated: “We have concluded this exercise. All the nominees have been screened, but one has not shown up. I think he has some problems; we don’t know. With your permission, instead of inviting each of you again, he can see me in the office.”
Senator Bello further reminded nominees that taking a bow before the committee does not amount to confirmation, stressing that the final approval rests with the full Senate during plenary. “Taking a bow today does not guarantee clearance by the Senate until the entire chamber says so,” he said.
A long list of nominees appeared before the committee, including career diplomats, political nominees, former ministers and former service chiefs. Among those screened were Ambassador Ayo Luther Ogomode, Ambassador Wahab Akande, Ambassador Adam Umar Banko, Danlami Ibrahim, Reno Omokri, Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, Ambassador Mahmoud Lele Mohammed, Professor Isaac Adewole, Lt.-Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd) and several former ministers and ambassadors.
Throughout the session, motions were repeatedly moved and adopted to allow many of the career and serving diplomats to take a bow and leave.
During the final round, no objections or petitions were raised against any nominee. Once asked, the committee responded in unison that there were no objections and no petitions, clearing the nominees to leave.
With the screening exercise concluded, the nominees now await the next and decisive stage, consideration and confirmation by the entire Senate during plenary. Senator Bello reiterated that the committee’s work covers only half of the process, and the Senate as a whole will make the final determination.
