Drama in Senate as ambassadorial nominee forgets name of senator from his state

Emmanuel Adeyemi, career ambassadorial nominee of President Bola Tinubu, stumbled during senate screening on Wednesday after he failed to name one of the three senators representing Ekiti state.

Adeyemi, a deputy director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, impressed the Senate committee on foreign affairs with his academic and diplomatic credentials before faltering during questioning.

The nominee mentioned Opeyemi Bamidele and Yemi Adaramodu but failed to name the third senator from the state.

Members of his delegation were seen attempting to search the name of Cyril Fasuyi online, triggering outrage from lawmakers.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong representing Cross River south, criticised the lapse and questioned the standard of public office nominees.

He said, “Much as we admit that one man can’t know everything, it is expected that somebody like you, who has been nominated to represent the country as an ambassador, should know details like the three senators from your state.

“It is even important that the people we are presenting to the international perception of our country are competent enough to repair our image.”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole representing Edo north, and Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa west, backed the criticism.

However, Senator Yunus Akintunde representing Oyo central, urged the committee to show leniency.

He said, “Please forgive him. Please let us overlook his mistake and pardon him for not knowing that Ekiti, like other states, has three senators.”

Adeyemi is one of three ambassadorial nominees from Ekiti alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.