Senate President Godswill Akpabio has recounted how he intervened in securing an ambassadorial appointment for former senator Ita Enang, who was subsequently appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Akpabio made the revelation while narrating an encounter with Enang, whom he described as someone who had previously been critical of successive administrations in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the Senate President, he once contacted Enang and appealed to him to stop criticising Governor Umo Eno, whom he described as a leader given to the state by God.
Akpabio said Enang responded that he would only stop his criticism if he was given an official responsibility.
Recounting the conversation, the Senate President said:
“Someone here who used to criticise past governments of Akwa Ibom. One day, I called him. I told him, ‘This Pastor Umo Eno that God has given us, please stop abusing him.’
“He said, ‘Your Excellency, until you give me something to do, I will not stop.’
“So, I decided to send him as ambassador to Germany.”
The account offers an insight into the political relationship between Akpabio and Enang, as well as the circumstances Akpabio says preceded Enang’s diplomatic appointment.
Ita Enang is a former senator who represented Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District and previously served as Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters.
His appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany placed him in a diplomatic role representing the country in bilateral relations and international engagements.
Akpabio’s account has also drawn attention to the intersection of political relationships, public appointments and the evolving political dynamics in Akwa Ibom State.
