A heated argument has broken out in the National Assembly as senators and leading opposition figures intensify calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw the newly submitted list of ambassadorial nominees, citing alleged nepotism, imbalance, and violations of the Federal Character principle.
The controversy erupted ahead of the Senate’s scheduled screening and confirmation of the nominees, with several lawmakers openly rejecting the list and urging the Presidency to reconsider its selections. Some senators faulted the composition of the nominees, insisting that it runs contrary to Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates equitable representation of Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones in federal appointments.
Further checks revealed that the South West geopolitical zone has 15 nominees, while the North West and South East have 13 and 9, respectively. The North Central region has 10 nominees on the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominees, while the South South region has 12.
Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West has reportedly mobilised colleagues to oppose certain nominees, particularly former presidential aide Reno Omokri, whose inclusion has sparked heated debate within the Upper Chamber. Ngwu argues that any nominee who has publicly made damaging allegations against the President but has failed to retract them should not be allowed to represent the country. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has also appealed to President Tinubu to withdraw the list from the National Assembly.
The list has further drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, including Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, intensifying tensions within the Senate.
PDP Rejects List, Calls Nominees “Reprehensible and Scandalous”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a strongly worded statement condemning the ambassadorial list and declaring it unfit for Nigeria’s diplomatic representation. In the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party warned that the selection reflects a troubling pattern within the current administration. It said the list contains individuals whose public reputations and past actions have raised serious concerns among Nigerians and international observers.
According to the party, the development is “not just a sad commentary on our country’s history of diplomatic representation; it is very reprehensible and scandalous.” The PDP added that the widespread public outrage shows that the nominations are viewed as part of a recurring pattern under the Tinubu administration. It also criticised the prolonged delay before the release of the nominees, arguing that the quality of names presented does not justify the wait.
Concerns Over Mahmood Yakubu and Zonal Imbalances
A major flashpoint in the debate is the inclusion of former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure the PDP described as controversial and marked by unfulfilled commitments, allegations the party insists contributed to the emergence of the present administration. Additional concerns have been raised over alleged lopsidedness in the distribution of nominees across geopolitical zones.
Critics also point to states such as Gombe, which received no nomination, and Yobe, whose only nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, had passed away before the list was released. They argue that the inconsistencies strongly suggest a breach of the Federal Character principle, further deepening public discontent.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the list of nominees and referred it to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening. Despite this procedural progress, pressure continues to mount from both within and outside the chamber.
A senator from Borno South restated over the weekend that the list “is in clear breach of Section 14(3) of the Nigerian Constitution,” which mandates that federal appointments must reflect national diversity and prevent the dominance of individuals from a few states or ethnic groups.
As the controversy intensifies, all eyes are now on the Presidency and the Senate leadership to determine whether the list will stand or be withdrawn for further review.
