Akpabio Appoints Enang as Ambassador to End Criticism of Eno

Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that he appointed former Senator Ita Enang as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. This happened after Mr Enang said he would keep criticizing Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State until he got a political appointment.

Mr Akpabio shared this information on Sunday at a special dedication service for the All Progressives Congress 2027 election campaign in Akwa Ibom State.

He recounted a conversation he had with Mr Enang, saying he noticed the former senator was often criticizing Mr Eno’s government. “Amongst us here is also somebody who used to criticise past governments of Akwa Ibom very, very well. But one day I called him, I told him, ‘this Pastor Umo Eno that God has given us, please stop abusing him,” Mr Akpabio said.

Mr Enang responded, saying, “Until you give me something to do, I will not stop.” Following this, Mr Akpabio decided to appoint him as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. “So, I decided to send him as ambassador to Germany. So, let me welcome Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Ita Enang in a special way,” he said.

Looking at Mr Eno, Mr Akpabio added: “So, Governor Umo Eno, if there is any other person troubling you, give me the assignment. I will give the person something to do, and he will not talk to you again.”

A video of the event, shared by PREMIUM TIMES, shows Mr Akpabio introducing Mr Enang as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. Mr Enang stood up, smiled, and waved to the audience, recognizing the introduction and Mr Akpabio’s comments.

Mr Akpabio’s remarks raise questions. Was Mr Enang’s appointment linked to his past criticisms of the Akwa Ibom governor? How much did Mr Akpabio influence this appointment?

PREMIUM TIMES notes that Mr Enang had criticized Mr Eno and his government several times before becoming an ambassador. Mr Akpabio’s statement suggests that his appointment followed a conversation where Mr Enang linked his criticism of the governor to a lack of political appointment.

On Sunday night, PREMIUM TIMES sent a message to Mr Enang via WhatsApp and text. They asked if Mr Akpabio’s account of his appointment was correct. They also asked if his earlier criticisms of the governor were based on real concerns or if they came from political disagreements over not getting an appointment.

The media outlet wanted to know if Mr Enang still stood by his criticisms or if his view of the governor had changed since becoming an ambassador. Mr Enang did not reply to these questions. He also did not answer calls from our reporter on Sunday night and Monday morning.

On Monday morning, PREMIUM TIMES sent another media inquiry to Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president’s spokesperson. They asked if Mr Akpabio was responsible for getting Mr Enang appointed as ambassador since the power to appoint ambassadors lies with President Bola Tinubu.

They also asked if the appointment was linked to Mr Enang’s criticisms of Mr Eno and if Mr Akpabio’s account of their conversation was accurate. Mr Eyiboh had not replied to the inquiry by the time this report was filed.

Lawyer Ewa Okpo, who speaks for the PDP faction in Akwa Ibom, commented on the matter. He said that Mr Akpabio’s comments could be used against Mr Enang later. “By standing up to wave to the public in response to the Senate president’s revelation, the ambassador, who is himself a lawyer, has acknowledged and admitted to the veracity of that statement and cannot deny or challenge it tomorrow,” Mr Okpo wrote on Facebook.

He added, “The video will speak against him tomorrow should he try anything funny afterwards.”