A former Senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as a non-career ambassador, describing the development as a more fitting role for the lawmaker.
President Tinubu, on November 28, unveiled a list of 17 non-career and 15 career ambassador-nominees forwarded to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation, with Ibrahim included among the nominees.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Tofowomo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, said Ibrahim—who currently represents Ondo South in the Senate—would deliver better results in diplomatic service than in legislative representation.
He alleged that since Ibrahim assumed office two years ago, he had devoted more time to international travels and global engagements than to matters affecting his constituents.
The former senator noted that Ibrahim’s appointment should be seen as a positive development for the district and Ondo State.
He added that the senator’s academic background and exposure make him more suited for international representation than constituency-focused legislative duties.
“Ibrahim just got the right job as an ambassador. If he is confirmed, I think he has all it takes to perform better in international engagements rather than the senatorial district.
“I congratulate him because his nomination is a great blessing to Ondo South and the state at large.
“Ondo South constituents have not enjoyed him since he became a senator because he has been busy junketing around the world with international engagements rather than him focussing on senatorial issues.
“His All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders too have been having issues with him over inaccessibility at party meetings and constituency political deliberations,” he said.
Ondo South Senatorial District consists of six local government areas: Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
Tofowomo further claimed that since Ibrahim took office in 2023, he had not been sighted in Ilaje, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo council areas.
He argued that Ibrahim’s expected exit from the Senate would create an opportunity for other capable politicians to contest and provide the district with more effective representation.
The former lawmaker urged the electorate to prioritize competence, track record and capacity when choosing the next senator to ensure improved delivery of democratic dividends.
“Ondo South constituents must elect a capable politician, preferably a ranking senator, who has been at the senate and had initiated bills that brought better dividends of democracy to them.
“We have been there; we have all it takes to represent our people well. There are testimonies of great performances and dividends of democracy that we brought to our constituents,” the former senator said.
Prominent politicians who have already indicated interest in replacing Ibrahim include Tofowomo himself; former APC senatorial aspirant, Morayo Labi; former House of Representatives member, Mayowa Akinfolarin; and businessman-politician, Mathew Oyerinmade (popularly known as MATO).
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