Scores of demonstrators on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly, Abuja, urging the Senate to suspend the confirmation 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 before the courts.
President Bola Tinubu recently transmitted a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation as part of efforts to fill Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad after months of vacancies.
However, Fasina’s nomination has continued to attract controversy, with several civil society groups insisting that the Senate should defer any confirmation until pending court cases against him are concluded.
The protesters, under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “Suspend the Ambassadorial Appointment of Prof Fasina Now” and “Nigerian Senate, Don’t Confirm Prof Abayomi Fasina’s Ambassadorial Appointment.”
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly complex, Adeyemo Amira, a legal practitioner who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said Fasina has pending cases before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja.
