Citing irregularities in the ambassadorial list forwarded by the Presidency, the Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, summoned the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and the Minister of foreign affair, Geoffrey Onyema, to appear and explain the anomalies therein.

The Senate reached the decision to summon the duo after a point of order was raised by Senator Joshua Dariye, who urged the chamber to invite the two government officials to come and explain “some irregularities” in the list.

The Presidency had forwarded the list to the senators on June 9, for confirmation.

The motion moved by Dariye was put to a voice vote by the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Saraki said, “On career ambassadors we must ensure that the process is transparent.”

“It is important the senate committee invite the SGF and minister of foreign affairs to explain the processes the names came about.”

Senator Joshua Dariye raises a point of order concerning the Ambassadorial Nominees List sent in by @NGRPresident @MBuhari.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Sen Dariye moves that the Minister of Foreign Affairs be summoned to explain the irregularities surrounding the Ambassadorial Nominees List.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye rises to second the motion on Ambassadorial Nominees List raised by Senator Joshua Dariye.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Senator Adeyeye says " i have been approached by qualified candidates who didn't make the list for their states." He supports the summon.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Senator Ogbuoji now speaking says the Ambassadorial Nominees List had Asst. Directors in it while Directors who are qualified didn't make it

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Senator Foster Ogola moves that the Ambassadorial Nominees List should be returned until all states of the Federation are duly represented.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Senator @shehusani now speaking also says they have been series of complains from states as regards the Ambassadorial Nominees List

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

Sen @shehusani says either the Senate goes on to screen the Amb. Nominees List while they wait for the 2nd list or wait before screening.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

The Senate resolves to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs & SGF to appear before the Senate to explain irregularities of the list.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

SP @bukolasaraki concludes by urging #ForeignAffairsCttee to address these issues surrounding the list before the screening can commence.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016

The Committee on Foreign Affairs set to look into irregularities surrounding the Ambassadorial Nominees List is to report back in 1 week.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 22, 2016