Senate Says No Petitions Filed Against Ambassadorial Nominees Yet

The Senate has made it clear that official petitions against the most recent list of ambassadorial nominees have not yet been received.

Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu clarified in an interview with Sunday Punch that although the public has expressed reservations about the nominations, the Senate can only take action in response to written petitions that are submitted through the appropriate channels.

He mentioned that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had been tasked with reviewing the screening procedure and reporting back within a week.

We have not yet received any petitions opposing any nominees. I only read the list today, Thursday. We think the committee would forward any petition to the Senate,” Adaramodu stated.

Adaramodu stressed that the nominees’ screening by the committee is merely the initial stage of the procedure. Before making a final judgment, the entire Senate will have the chance to question each nominee following the committee’s review.

He went on to say that the Senate still has the authority to reject any nominee who is judged unsuited for the position in light of the committee’s conclusions.

“The committee will submit its findings to plenary following the screening, and the entire Senate will then review it. The selection of nominees is not final at the committee level. He clarified that the Senate, the larger house, has the authority to accept, reject, or modify the committee’s conclusions.

Adaramodu reaffirmed that any legitimate accusations or petitions made against any nominee would be promptly addressed by the Senate.

“Upholding, rejecting, or sustaining the committee on Foreign Affairs’ report is the responsibility of the committee of the whole, headed by the Senate President,” he said.