The screening of 47 ambassadorial nominees by the Senate has been put on hold following what federal lawmakers called irregularities in the nomination process.

The exercise was suspended on Wednesday after Joshua Dariye raised a motion under matters of urgent national importance, alleging the non-inclusion of the names of competent career diplomats from among his constituents.

This was supported by Sola Adeyeye and Fauster Ogolar who also believe the nomination process was faulty.

After deliberations, the Senate summoned the minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, to appear before its committee on Foreign Affairs to explain the nomination process.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki also joined in criticizing the nomination process while announcing the Senate’s resolution to suspend the screening.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to meet with the minister and report to the Senate in one week.