Senator Adams Oshiomhole has openly opposed the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's nominees for appointment as a Non-Career Ambassador/High Commissioner, declaring that "rapists cannot represent Nigeria." His remarks came during a heated Senate debate over Fasina's nomination, which has been overshadowed by allegations of sexual harassment made during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria must uphold high moral and ethical standards when appointing individuals to represent the country internationally. According to the former Edo State governor, those entrusted with diplomatic responsibilities should possess not only the required qualifications but also unquestionable integrity and public confidence.
The senator maintained that appointing a nominee facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct could tarnish Nigeria's international image. While acknowledging the constitutional principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Oshiomhole insisted that the Senate must exercise caution when considering nominees for sensitive public offices.
According to him, allowing someone facing unresolved allegations of sexual misconduct to serve as Nigeria's representative abroad would send the wrong message about the country's commitment to justice, accountability and the protection of victims of sexual violence.
Professor Fasina's nomination had attracted nationwide attention even before his screening, with several civil society organisations protesting at the National Assembly and urging the Senate to suspend his confirmation until ongoing legal proceedings and related allegations were fully resolved. The groups argued that public office holders, particularly diplomats, should be held to the highest ethical standards.
However, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs recommended Fasina's confirmation after reviewing petitions and reports before it. The committee stated that investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and the FUOYE Governing Council did not substantiate the allegations against the nominee. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several lawmakers supported the committee's findings, stressing that legislative decisions should be based on verified evidence rather than allegations alone.
Despite Oshiomhole's strong objections, the Senate proceeded to confirm Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a Non-Career Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lawmakers who supported the confirmation argued that denying a nominee based solely on allegations without a judicial finding would undermine the constitutional presumption of innocence and set a dangerous precedent for future appointments.
The debate has since sparked widespread public discussion over the balance between legal innocence and the higher ethical expectations placed on individuals nominated for public office. While some Nigerians have applauded Oshiomhole's insistence on accountability and moral leadership, others believe the Senate acted appropriately by relying on official investigative findings rather than unproven claims.
Oshiomhole's statement that "rapists cannot represent Nigeria" has become one of the defining moments of the ambassadorial confirmation exercise, reigniting national conversations about integrity, accountability, and the standards expected of those chosen to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
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