US ‘uneasy’ about approving Nigeria’s 82-year-old ambassadorial nominee

Matthew Page, former US intelligence community expert on Nigeria, says the US government is edgy about approving 82-year-old Sylvanus Nsofor as the Nigerian ambassador to the states.

In an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show, Page said Nsofor is at disadvantage because of his age.

The senate had on March 23 confirmed the appointment of 45 non-career ambassadors nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari but rejected two of the nominees –Nsofor (Imo) and Jacob Daudu (Ondo).

The senate explained that they were not confirmed based on the recommendation of the foreign affairs committee.

The lawmakers had rejected the ambassadorial list in November, but the Buhari administration sent a revised list on January 12.

Nsofor, a retired judge was said to have failed to recite the national anthem when he appeared before the lawmakers.

He was however on June 7 confirmed by the senate.

“He was rejected and the presidency sent his name back to reconsider. Hon Justice Nsofor is 82 years old – as opposed to being sarcastic and frail when he first appeared before this committee for screening,” Monsurat Sunmonu, head of the committee said upon his confirmation.

“The nominee answered all questions appropriately and his appearance was better than the previous one. The DSS report still maintained that he will not be able to perform the duty of an officer due to his advanced age.

“However, the committee believes that he should not be penalised based on age since he was able to demonstrate the necessary skills during the exercise.

But Page said Nsofor might not be the best candidate for the job which according to him requires a “dynamic and energetic person.”

“This chap made headlines when he was nominated as an ambassador by Buhari . he is a very well respected Nigerian but his disadvantage is that he is 82-year-old, Page said.

“What I am hearing is that the US government is very uneasy about agreeing to have this ambassador posted to Washington because that is an extremely arduous drop.

“You have a growing schedule and its one of Nigeria’s largest overseas embassies to manage. This is something that needs a very dynamic and energetic person with an enormous constitution.

“So, there is an uneasiness but there is also the desire to respect when a country sends you an ambassador. You cant just say no, send me another one. “

Page advised the Nigerian government to reconsider its choice of candidate for the position, adding that Nigeria has many qualified diplomats to choose from.

“The Nigerian government may sort of reconsider and realise that that person may not be best suited and that there are obviously a lot of talented Nigerian diplomats,” he said.

“So I don’t think there is a shortage for choice. PMB for whatever reason in his mind just wants this particular guy for this particular post and it’s probably not the best fit.”

Asked if President Donald Trump will be actively involved in Nigeria’s 2019 election as the government of former President Barack Obama was in 2015, Page said the US will not take sides with any party.

“I think trump is disinterested in most things but especially Africa and it may not be a bad thing sometime,” he said.

“I think he views Africa as a place for his country club to go off and do business deals and get rich and I think that has echoes of colonialism.

“We all know that Trump is a white nationalist prefundamentaly racist person and the people around him are as well.

“Those individuals at the top don’t really care what’s happening in Nigeria or in Africa. But I think you will see some of the usual contribution from Americans and other international partners about the importance of voting and a good process.

“But I don’t think by any means will you see any sort of favouring one particular candidate over another because they go through great pains to avoid that even though the perception is not always the case from the Nigerian side.”