… say election was a sham
Former Governor or Ogun State, and lawmaker representing the Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday, warned an ambassadorial nominee against listing his involvement in the All Progressives Congress’ 2019 primary elections as an achievement.
The former governor gave the advice to the Edo State nominee, Yamah Musa, during the screening of 41 non-career and one career ambassadorial nominees by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which started on Wednesday.
Another member of the committee, former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, also tackled the Edo nominee on the basis of his submission.
Both lawmakers described the primary election exercise as a sham that should not be mentioned by a nominee hoping to represent Nigeria in a foreign land.
Okorocha particularly said that it was the worst primary conducted by any political party in the history of Nigeria by “a man that has been sent away now.”
Asked by the Chairman of the panel, Senator Muhammad Bulkachuwa, to explain his contribution to the APC in Edo State, Musa had said, “I was one of the foremost party members who conducted primary elections for all our House of Representatives candidates in the South-West, one of whom is the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.”
Amosun said, “Please such exercise is not something you should be referring to as an achievement because as party members, we knew what happened then and those behind it .
“We don’t want you to carry this type of mindset to foreign post if eventually confirmed. The earlier you erased such unbecoming assignments as personal achievements, the better.”
On his part, Okorocha said, “You are here to be screened and possibly confirmed as an ambassador to represent Nigeria and you are reminding us of the worst primary elections ever conducted by a political party in Nigeria under a man that had been sent away now.
“I hope you are not being rewarded for the sham you called primaries and injustice done against loyal party members.”
Bulkachuwa, the committee Chairman, however, appealed to the lawmakers to allow the nominee take a bow and go.
Other nominees that were screened included Ademola Seriki ( Lagos), Umar Suleiman (Adamawa), Maj. Gen. C.O. Ugwu (Enugu), and Mr Kelvin Peter Adamu (Adamawa), among others.
The exercise is expected to continue on Thursday (today).
