President Bola Tinubu has sent 68 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation — a sweeping diplomatic reshuffle that blends ex-intelligence chiefs, former ministers, political powerbrokers and career diplomats.
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The nominees include:
- former Rivers sole administrator & naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas,
- former Minister of Interior & ex-Army Chief Abdulrahman Dambazau,
- former Senator Ita Enang,
- former Imo First Lady Chioma Ohakim,
- Senator Jimoh Ibrahim,
- Senator Nora Daduut,
- Fatima Ajimobi, among others.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the President’s letter during plenary, directing the Foreign Affairs Committee to screen all 34 career and 31 non-career nominees within one week.
Three Cleared After “Rigorous” Screening
Those already screened and cleared — Ayo Oke, Amin Dalhatu and Lateef Kayode Are — faced hours of interrogation dominated by questions on national security, diplomatic conduct and intelligence operations.
Oke, who has faced long-standing public controversies, sought permission to address “issues already in the public domain,” stressing that past covert operations linked to him were approved by two Presidents and carried out in national interest.
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The screening of the remaining nominees resumes Friday.