The Senate has risen in defence of one of President Bola Tinubu’s career ambassadors-designate, Emmanuel Adeyemi, following public criticism that trailed his screening over a momentary inability to name all three senators representing Ekiti State.
The incident occurred during the screening of career nominees by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, when Adeyemi briefly struggled to recall the name of one of the Ekiti senators, a lapse that sparked sharp reactions from some lawmakers.
Reacting to the controversy on Monday, the Senate Spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, urged Nigerians to exercise restraint, describing the episode as a minor slip that could happen to anyone under pressure.
“These are career ambassadorial nominees. The particular nominee in question is from my senatorial district. You heard him mention my name among the Ekiti senators he knows. That shows he knows me,” Adaramodu said.
He explained that the tense and rigorous nature of the screening process could easily unsettle even seasoned public servants.
“When you are under that kind of pressure during questioning, you are bound to miss something. If someone scores 66.7 per cent, do you crucify that person?” he asked.
Adaramodu dismissed suggestions that the lapse reflected ignorance, noting that Adeyemi has a long-standing professional relationship with him.
“He knows me personally and has visited my office several times. These are not serious issues. It is like suddenly asking someone under pressure to name the President of Ghana—he may know it but momentarily forget,” he said.
According to the Senate spokesman, Adeyemi’s focus during the screening was understandably on his immediate constituency representative.
“What concerned him at that moment was his constituency, which is me. He missed only one senator. Why should we make a big issue out of it? Besides, he is a career ambassador, not a political appointee,” Adaramodu added.
He further highlighted Adeyemi’s extensive experience in the foreign service, insisting that his long years of service should not be overshadowed by a brief lapse.
“He is not a newcomer. He has served Nigeria diligently for many years as a career officer, under secretary, and administrative officer in our foreign missions,” he said.
The controversy followed a dramatic moment at the screening when Adeyemi, a deputy director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was asked to name the three senators from Ekiti State.
While he correctly mentioned Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, he struggled to recall the third senator, Cyril Fasuyi, drawing visible displeasure from some members of the panel.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong had criticised the lapse, arguing that nominees representing Nigeria abroad must demonstrate basic political awareness. His position was supported by Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson. Others, including Senator Yunus Akintunde, however, appealed for leniency.
Adeyemi is one of three ambassadors-designate from Ekiti State nominated by President Tinubu, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
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