Senate has directed its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate alleged omission of Bayelsa State from the list of ambassadorial nominees.

The directive followed a point of order raised by Senator Emmanuel Paulker at plenary, yesterday.
The three-term lawmaker said his constituents drew his attention to the omission, shortly after the list was read in the Senate on June 9.

Paulker described the omission as a violation of the constitution, which gave credence to federal character.
“Few days ago, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the communication of President Muhammadu Buhari on the floor regarding ambassadorial nominees.

“As we left the chamber, my staff and colleagues were inundated with calls which drew their attention to the fact that no nominee from Bayelsa State was on the list. I thought it was not true but, as I went through the list myself, it confirmed the fears expressed by our constituents,’’ Paulker said. The lawmaker explained that records showed there were two deputy directors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who qualified to be on the list.

He said while some states had up to three nominees, Bayelsa was not represented at all and called on the Senate to communicate the Presidency on the omission so that justice would be done.

In his remarks, Saraki urged the committee to investigate the claim and report back to the Senate within the shortest possible time.

“In line with our rules, Paulker discussed this matter with me. I am happy that the chairman of the committee is here; they will take a look at the matter,’’ he said.

On June 9, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list of 47 career foreign service officers as ambassador-designates to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.

ViewPointNigeria Analysis

It would appear strange that the senate has decided to probe only the ommission of Bayelsa and not that of Plateau. But our investigations have vindicated the federal government in ommitting plateau – see below:

Investigations by ViewPointNigeria suggests that even though Plateau has qualified Directors in the Federal Ministry of Foreign affairs, they were disqualified for sundry issues. See below the case of the two most senior officers.

• Mr Alus Tyoden – Acting High Commissioner (Acting Ambassador) of the Nigerian High Commission Uganda. See http://www.nigeriahighcommissionkampala.org/officers.html

Our investigations (from contacts in the Federal Ministry of Foreign affairs) suggests that Mr. Alus Tyoden meets all the criteria set for being appointed ambassador, however he is said to have a few work related issues which meant he had to be dropped in the last minute of screening. The nature of the disciplinary issues which he is under was not made clear to our reporter.

• Mr. Gazing J Dangtim – Even though Mr. Dangtim is very senior and at the level where he should be appointed ambassador, it was confirmed to us that the president set a criteria that only civil servants who still had up to 3 years of service could be considered. Unfortunately that might have excluded him. http://www.nigeriaembassyvienna.com/

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Senate probes exclusion of Bayelsa from ambassadorial list