The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador, despite protests from civil society groups and objections raised by some lawmakers.
The confirmation followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North).
Presenting the report, Vice Chairman Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) urged the chamber to approve Fasina’s nomination, noting that investigations by the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Governing Council and the Nigeria Police had cleared him of earlier allegations.
Debate on the report divided senators. While Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) backed the committee’s recommendation, others, including Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North), who had signed the report voiced reservations.
Akpabio cautioned colleagues against relying on hearsay, stressing the importance of verified findings. “Honourable senators, we must take our assignments with respect and must not rely on hearsay,” he said.
Fasina’s confirmation came just a week after civil society organisations staged protests at the National Assembly, citing allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations, and victimisation.
The groups argued that pending court cases against the nominee should have delayed his confirmation.
President Bola Tinubu had recently forwarded a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate to fill vacant diplomatic posts, many of which have remained unoccupied for months.
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