Scores of demonstrators on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly in Abuja, calling on the Senate to suspend the confirmation process of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassadorial nominee over allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations and victimisation, which they said are currently the subject of ongoing court proceedings.
The protesters, who marched under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, urged lawmakers to halt the screening and confirmation of the nominee until all legal matters involving him had been conclusively determined.
The demonstration came days after President Bola Tinubu forwarded a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation as part of efforts to fill Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across the world, many of which have remained vacant for months.
Since the nomination was announced, Fasina’s inclusion on the list has generated controversy, with civil society organisations insisting that confirming him while the allegations against him remain before the courts could undermine public confidence in the country’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Suspend the Ambassadorial Appointment of Prof Fasina Now,” “Nigerian Senate, Don’t Confirm Prof Abayomi Fasina’s Ambassadorial Appointment,” and other messages demanding accountability, the demonstrators gathered at the National Assembly complex, chanting solidarity songs and calling for immediate legislative action.
Addressing journalists during the protest, leaders of the coalition argued that Nigeria’s image on the international stage could be negatively affected if an individual facing unresolved allegations is appointed to represent the country abroad.
According to them, the ambassadorial screening process should reflect the highest standards of integrity, transparency and respect for due process, particularly given the sensitive nature of diplomatic appointments.
The protesters maintained that their demand was not intended to prejudge the outcome of the legal proceedings but rather to ensure that the Senate exercises caution until the courts have had the opportunity to determine the issues before them.
They stressed that public office holders and nominees for key national assignments should not only possess the necessary qualifications but must also be free from unresolved controversies capable of eroding public trust.
The coalition further argued that proceeding with the confirmation despite the pending court cases could send the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to protecting victims of alleged abuse and upholding human rights.
The demonstrators therefore appealed to members of the Senate to place the confirmation process on hold until the judicial process has been exhausted. They said such a decision would reinforce confidence in democratic institutions and demonstrate respect for the independence of the judiciary.
President Tinubu recently transmitted the list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign service after months of vacancies in diplomatic missions across several countries.
The Senate is expected to screen the nominees before deciding whether to confirm their appointments. However, the nomination of Professor Fasina has remained one of the most contentious on the list, attracting criticism from civil society groups who insist that the allegations against him must first be resolved in court before any confirmation is considered.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Senate nor Professor Fasina had officially responded to Tuesday’s protest or the fresh calls for the suspension of his confirmation process.
The development is expected to add to the growing public debate surrounding the ambassadorial nominations as the Senate prepares to commence the screening exercise in the coming days.
