Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Ita Enang, once told him he would not stop criticising Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno unless he was given an appointment.
Akpabio made the claim in remarks shared on social media, where he recalled a conversation with the former senator over his criticism of past administrations in Akwa Ibom State.
In a post shared by X user Edward Emmanuel O., identified as @Eddyballer1, Akpabio was quoted as saying that he had appealed to Enang to stop attacking the governor.
Akpabio recalls conversation with Ita Enang
The Senate President described Enang as someone who had been outspoken in his criticism of previous governments in the state.
“Amongst us here is also somebody who used to criticize 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’,” Akpabio was quoted as saying.
According to the Senate President, Enang responded by requesting an appointment.
“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,” Akpabio added.
He subsequently acknowledged Enang’s presence and welcomed him in his diplomatic capacity.
“So, let me welcome Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Ita Enang in a special way,” he said.
The remarks suggest that Akpabio considered Enang’s appointment a response to his previous criticisms, although the Senate President did not explain the formal process leading to the diplomatic posting.
Tinubu approved Enang’s ambassadorial appointment
Enang, a former senator and presidential aide, was among the non-career ambassadors nominated by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025.
Following his nomination, Enang publicly thanked both Tinubu and Akpabio for their support.
In March 2026, the Presidency initially announced Enang’s posting to South Africa, while former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode was assigned to Germany.
However, the diplomatic assignments were subsequently exchanged.
Fani-Kayode explained in May that he requested redeployment to South Africa for personal reasons.
He said the request was considered by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and approved by President Tinubu, with Enang agreeing to take the Germany posting.
Enang subsequently assumed diplomatic duties in Berlin and presented his credentials to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on July 23, 2026.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed his status as ambassador to Germany in August.
Akpabio’s latest remarks have brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding Enang’s appointment and his previous political disagreements in Akwa Ibom State.
However, no response from Enang to the specific remarks had been independently established at the time of this report.
