LP’s Arabambi Faults Omokri’s Nomination, Urges Senate Scrutiny

Factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Abayomi Arabambi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri as ambassador, citing his history of publicly criticising the president.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Arabambi said while the Constitution empowers the president to appoint ambassadors, such nominations must undergo thorough Senate screening before taking effect.

He expressed confidence that the Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, would subject all nominees to due diligence.

“The president has the prerogative to nominate his ambassadors. They will appear before the Senate, their credentials will be reviewed, and Nigerians will hear their records,” he said.

Arabambi added that criticisms surrounding some nominees should not pre-empt the constitutional role of the legislature.

“No matter the political hysteria being stirred by various groups condemning certain names, the courts—not commentators—decide who is fit or otherwise,” he said.

However, he maintained that all nominees were deserving except Omokri, whose past remarks against President Tinubu, he argued, may weigh negatively during the confirmation process.

“While Reno Omokri is technically qualified, his history of openly criticising the president may count against him. I believe the president ought not to have considered him,” Arabambi stated.

He urged Nigerians to allow the Senate to carry out a transparent confirmation exercise.