By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

More than 200 women’s rights organisations and civil society groups have petitioned the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, urging it to suspend the confirmation of former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, as an ambassador.

The coalition, led by Womanifesto and represented by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, argued that the nomination should be put on hold pending the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings against him.

The petition, dated June 25, 2026, was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello.

The groups stated: “An ambassador serves as a representative of a nation’s identity and values. Given this important role, any candidate for an ambassadorial position must embody the highest standards of integrity and impeccable conduct.”

They noted that Prof. Fasina is currently facing criminal proceedings initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as civil actions before the National Industrial Court.

The coalition urged the Senate to assess not only formal eligibility but also the nominee’s public standing and integrity.

Meanwhile, a group supporting Prof. Fasina, known as the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Progressives (FUOYE Progressives), has defended his record of service.

The group, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dr. Kehinde Alao, argued that the former vice-chancellor had been vindicated by relevant authorities following investigations into earlier allegations.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to proceed with the appointment, citing Fasina’s achievements during his tenure at FUOYE.