Ambassadorial Nominees: Bayelsa, three others States failed Validity test – Senate

Concerns were again raised on Tuesday over the non-inclusion
of candidates from Bayelsa, Plateau, Ondo, and Ebonyi States
on the list of career Ambassadors forwarded to the Senate
for screening by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This follows the presentation of report of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs by Deputy Chairman, Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani(APC), Kaduna Central Senatorial
District where it was revealed that the process of nominating
career Ambassadors by President Buhari was duly taken into
consideration, pointing out that the affected States actually
did not meet the criteria.
Sani emphasized that contrary to public outcry that the four
states were marginalized, the Secretary to the Government
of the Federation honoured the invitation of Senate
Committee and made clarifications to the effect that the
states in question fell short of necessary qualification which
the Committee actually confirmed.
Criteria for appointment of Ambassadors, he noted, are based
on “federal character, seniority in the service of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, gender equality, specialisation, relevance and
competence,” he said.
He further asserted that excluded States stand to benefit
from appointment of non-career Ambassadors, hence, there
was no need for further issues.
Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC), Osun Central
Senatorial District recalled that he was part of those who
received petitions from those who felt aggrieved that their
States were not reflected, but explained that the findings of
the Committee as presented showed the lack of truth on the
part of the petitioners.
He urged the Senate to increase women opportunity to 40%,
citing that 12 out of 47 was not up to 40% in line with
affirmation of gender equality.
Image
“Mr. Senate President, you recall that I was the one that
raised issues based on petition, but from the reports,
petitioners were not truthful and I also want to submit that
there is need to increase the number of women in the
appointment in line with the 40 per cent affirmation on
gender equality,” Adeyeye maintained.
While commending the Committee for a job well done,
Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio moved that there is need
to go ahead with the screening, while asking the FG to
expedite action on the nomination of non career diplomats.
In a vote which was requested by the Senate President,
Bukola Saraki, the Senate resolved that screening of
Ambassadorial nominees will go ahead immediately.