Samuel Omang
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Kingsley Ude, SAN, as a new minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, amid renewed conversations in Abuja about Nigeria–US diplomatic tensions sparked by Donald Trump’s recent warnings.
Ude, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, faced a screening session that briefly turned heated when lawmakers pressed him on both domestic and international issues.
The turning point came when Senator Abdul Ningi asked the nominee to comment on the ongoing Trump threat and offer his thoughts on solutions. The question triggered murmurs on the floor, with some senators insisting that Ude had already proven himself and should not be subjected to further grilling.
In the middle of the session, the Nigeria–US angle resurfaced as lawmakers argued over whether questions on foreign policy were necessary for the confirmation of a minister who is not being appointed to the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
Ude responded calmly, stating that President Tinubu was handling the matter “diplomatically,” stressing that the issue was more rooted in international diplomacy than in legal confrontation.
Another contributor, Senator Adamu Aliero, sought Ude’s opinion on separating the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice. Ude said the effectiveness of the position would still depend on the integrity and independence of the occupant, regardless of whether the roles were fused or separated.
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Satisfied with his responses, the Senate asked him to “take a bow and go,” before formally confirming him as minister. His appointment fills the vacuum left by Uche Nnaji, who resigned weeks earlier amid a certificate scandal.
With Ude now joining the cabinet at a time when governance intersects sharply with global politics, observers say his stance on diplomacy will be tested as Nigeria–US relations continue to shape discussions both within and outside the National Assembly.