Power Play Unfolds As Tinubu Pushes High-Profile Ambassadorial Nominees To Senate
By Passman Akpos
In a stunning political twist, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded another explosive list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate — this time packed with heavyweight power brokers and ex-security chiefs whose earlier absence raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Frontlining the fresh batch are Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State; Ita Enang, ex-senator and influential presidential aide; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and retired Chief of Army Staff.
Their dramatic reappearance came Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter on the floor, sparking tense murmurs and instant speculation among lawmakers.
Tinubu, urging swift clearance, stressed the nominees are urgently needed for “critical diplomatic postings” awaiting occupancy — a phrase analysts say hints at geopolitical realignments already underway.
Akpabio wasted no time, dispatching the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with strict orders: screen, investigate, and return a verdict in one week.
Thursday’s revelation detonates barely days after Tinubu stunned the nation by nominating Reno Omokri, former presidential aide; Femi Fani-Kayode, fiery ex-Minister of Aviation; and Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman — appointments that ignited outrage, shockwaves and heated debate nationwide.
Now, with the new power-laden additions, the ambassadorial race has morphed into one of the most controversial political storms of the Tinubu era — and all eyes are locked on the Senate.
