Senate defends Emmanuel Adeyemi after minor lapse recalling Ekiti senators, stressing his experience as a career ambassador

The Senate has come to the defence of Emmanuel Adeyemi, a career ambassador-designate and nominee of President Bola Tinubu, following controversy over his momentary inability to name all three senators from Ekiti State during his screening.

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The incident occurred during a session conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, where Adeyemi, a deputy director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confidently named Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, but struggled to recall Cyril Fasuyi, prompting criticism from some lawmakers.

In response, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate Spokesman, described the episode as a minor lapse that could happen to anyone under pressure. Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, he urged Nigerians not to overreact.

“These are career ambassadorial nominees. The particular nominee you spoke about is from my own senatorial position. At least, you heard him mention my name among the Ekiti senators he knows. That means he knew me,” Adaramodu said.

He added that the intense atmosphere of the screening could unsettle even experienced public servants.

“Again, when you are under that kind of stress resulting from the questioning, definitely, you are bound to miss out on one thing. And so, if somebody scores 66.7 per cent, do you crucify that person?” he asked.

Adaramodu also emphasised Adeyemi’s years of service in the foreign service, noting his extensive career as a deputy director, under-secretary, and administrative officer in various foreign missions. He stressed that the lapse was not due to ignorance.

Other lawmakers, including Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, had criticised the nominee, insisting that ambassadors must demonstrate political awareness, while Senators Yunus Akintunde and others called for leniency.

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Adeyemi is among three ambassadors-designate from Ekiti State submitted by President Tinubu, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.