Senate Rises in Defence of Ambassador-Designate Over ‘Ekiti Gaffe,’ Dismisses Viral Memory Lapse as Stress-Induced Error

The Nigerian Senate has officially weighed in on the viral controversy surrounding ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi, describing his inability to name all three senators from his home state of Ekiti as a “minor lapse” that should not overshadow his career competence.

Speaking to the press, Senate Spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu who was ironically one of the two senators the nominee did remember urged the public to show empathy toward public servants undergoing the rigors of parliamentary screening.

The controversy began during the second phase of the screening by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, when Adeyemi, a seasoned diplomat with postings in France and Hong Kong, froze after naming two Ekiti senators. The situation was further complicated when a member of his delegation was spotted attempting a “Google search” to assist him, sparking criticism from lawmakers like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

However, Senator Adaramodu clarified that the episode was purely a result of stage fright and the high-stakes environment of the Senate chambers. “These are career ambassadorial nominees who have served this country for decades,” Adaramodu stated. “When you are under that kind of questioning, you are bound to miss out on one thing. If somebody scores 66.7 per cent under such stress, do you crucify that person?”

The spokesman further dismissed claims that the nominee was ignorant of his representatives, revealing that Adeyemi had visited his office on several occasions and maintained a long-standing professional relationship with him. He likened the incident to a “sudden question” that could unsettle even the most experienced administrator.

The defense comes as the Senate concludes the confirmation process for a massive batch of 67 ambassadorial picks submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While the “Ekiti gaffe” dominated social media headlines for days, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs noted that Adeyemi’s credentials—including a doctorate degree and extensive foreign service experience—far outweighed a momentary memory block.

With the confirmation of 34 career and 33 non-career ambassadors now largely complete, the Federal Government is expected to begin the deployment of the new envoys to various diplomatic missions across the globe by early 2026.