The Leader of the 10th Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has clarified why the upper chamber allowed some ambassadorial nominees to “take a bow and go” during the ongoing screening exercise.
Bamidele, speaking during plenary, stressed that the gesture was not borne out of favoritism but was in line with long-standing parliamentary tradition extended to former federal lawmakers.
According to him, nominees who previously served as elected members of the National Assembly do not require rigorous questioning because their legislative and public service records are well-known to the institution.
Members of Screening Committee
“I want to congratulate the nominees. Sitting before us this afternoon are people who, by the grace of God, have had the privilege of serving our country as governors, deputy governors, and First Ladies at the subnational level,” he said.
Clarifying further, he noted: “For the understanding of the Nigerian public, those we asked to take a bow and go are individuals who have served as elected members of the National Assembly. Our rules do not allow us to waste the precious time of the public and the media by screening them all over again, because the National Assembly already has their records.”
He added that the practice is not unique to Nigeria but is recognized in legislative chambers across the world.
Bamidele explained that nominees who were not former lawmakers underwent full screening, as the privilege did not apply to them. He also disclosed that the Senate received no petitions against any of the nominees, and that all security checks conducted by the Department of State Services, the police, and other agencies cleared them of any wrongdoing.
He, thereafter, moved that the Senate allow the nominees to leave based on their curriculum vitae and verified public service records. The motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Kamorudeen Lere Oyewumi.
Those who benefited from the “take a bow and go” privilege include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former TETFUND Executive Secretary Femi Fani-Kayode, Dr. Kulu Hauna Abubakar, former Sokoto State Commissioner and adviser, and former Director of Voter Education, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi, a three-time member of the House of Representatives and former governor of Enugu State; Hon. Lola Akande of the Lagos State House of Assembly; and Senator Ita Enang.
Also among the nominees, particularly those who are spouses of former governors, were: Erelu Angela Ayodele Adebayo, wife of a former Ekiti State governor; Fatimah Florence Ajimobi, widow of former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi; Oluwayimika Ayotunwa Olumilua, wife of the late former Ondo State governor Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; and Chioma Priscilla Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State. Some of these nominees appeared nervous during the screening, prompting a senator to reassure them with the remark: “Don’t be nervous.”
However, the Senate’s decision has continued to draw criticism from Nigerians who have consistently opposed the “take a bow and go” tradition.
Many argue that ambassadorial nominees, who will be responsible for representing the country internationally, should be articulate, confident, and diplomatically competent.
Critics contend that if some nominees appeared visibly uneasy before senators, it raises concerns about their ability to defend Nigeria’s interests before foreign leaders and in global diplomatic settings.
They insist that the Senate should have allowed all nominees, regardless of background, to speak on critical issues to demonstrate their suitability for the prestigious roles they are expected to assume.
The ambassadorial nominees are expected to resume their duties upon confirmation by the Senate.
