Senators representing Edo North (Adams Oshiomhole) and Borno South (Ali Ndume), clashed on Thursday during the screening of ambassadorial nominee, Reno Omokri.
The disagreement began when Ndume reprimanded Oshiomhole for attempting to speak before a motion on the floor had been seconded.
Ndume, a former senate leader, said, “The procedure is that there is a motion on ground and it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it is dead.”
Oshiomhole pushed back, arguing that he needed to comment in the public interest concerning Omokri.
“Mr Chairman, I think I needed to speak on this in the public interest. In particular reference to the nominee, Reno, because we cannot pretend we have not heard stories,” he said.
Ndume replied, “You can’t work on stories; there is no petition before the committee. The senate is not a joke.”
Oshiomhole later commended President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a leader driven by pragmatism rather than emotion.
The former Edo governor also referenced some of Omokri’s past remarks about the president.
“Tinubu is a pragmatist, he is not detained by old feelings, doubts, suspicion about anyone until you have the opportunity to so perform until you hand over to him the steering of a vehicle,” Oshiomhole said.
He added that Omokri had demonstrated the ability to acknowledge evidence and admit when previous assumptions were wrong.
Oshiomhole also said the president had shown “the minimum requirement of leadership”, adding that his own time as governor gave him the authority to speak on the matter.
Ndume cut in, remarking, “Governors come to senate. After being governors, you struggle to come to senate.”
Oshiomhole maintained that Tinubu had exhibited “a rare quality”, emphasising that the president’s openness toward critics showed he governs with a large heart and leads all Nigerians.
Committee chairman Sani Bello intervened, restoring order and asking whether either senator objected to Omokri’s nomination. Both indicated they had no objections.
Omokri was then asked to take a bow and leave.
Earlier, the senate committee on foreign affairs had begun screening the non-ambassadorial nominees submitted by Tinubu.