Oshiomhole Breaks Ranks, Opposes Fasina’s Confirmation Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

A brief moment of tension unfolded in the Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole differed over the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassador-designate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The disagreement centred on Fasina, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), whose nomination has attracted controversy over allegations of sexual harassment.

Speaking during plenary, Oshiomhole argued that approving the nomination while the allegations remain unresolved could send the wrong signal, particularly to Nigerian women.

He stressed that although Fasina is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Senate should exercise caution given that the allegations are currently before the courts.

“Nigerian women have drawn the attention of this Senate to the fact that the professor has been accused by two women, and these matters are pending before different courts. No one is saying he is guilty because the law presumes him innocent until proven otherwise. However, as a matter of sensitivity, confirming someone facing such allegations could be interpreted as disregarding the concerns of women, especially since the claims involve more than one complainant,” Oshiomhole said.

The former Edo State governor maintained that the Senate should have delayed the confirmation until the legal process had run its course.

“I believe the more prudent approach would have been to allow him to clear his name before the courts before entrusting him with such a national assignment,” he added.

Despite Oshiomhole’s objections, the Senate proceeded to confirm Fasina as a non-career ambassador-designate after considering the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The committee’s report, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), was presented before the chamber by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), paving the way for Fasina’s confirmation.