Ex-presidential aide hails Tinubu, Akpabio over ambassadorial nomination

Former presidential aide and ex-lawmaker Senator Ita Enang on Monday applauded President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his nomination as a non-career ambassador.

He described the gesture as a rare privilege and a reaffirmation of Akwa Ibom’s growing national prominence.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Enang thanked the two leaders and the people of Akwa Ibom State for their support.

“On my nomination for ambassadorial assignment, and on behalf of my family, constituents and political constituency, I express my profound and sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, and to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for this exceptional privilege. I pledge my utmost as I go through the process,” he said.

Responding to political concerns within the state, the former lawmaker defended the Senate President’s relationship with the Akwa Ibom people, stressing that Akpabio had been instrumental in raising the state’s national standing.

“To our Akwa Ibom people, and in particular the Ibibio Nation, may I state categorically that at no time has the Senate President held any segment of our people in contempt, diminished our esteem or denied us our due.

“On the contrary, he has demonstrated exemplary leadership, remarkable inclusiveness and an unwavering commitment to carrying every section of our state along,” Enang stated.

He noted that Akpabio’s influence in national politics has placed Akwa Ibom in a strategic position, adding that the state must recognise the value of having its son occupy the nation’s third-highest political office.

Enang also revealed that he had worked closely with Akpabio and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on major APC and developmental decisions, including the inclusion of N10bn for the Nkari Dam in Ini and the Itu/Ibiono Dam in Ibiono Ibom in the 2025 budget.

“If there was anything which inadvertently was misunderstood, I take responsibility and any blame because I was on the table at his invitation in the course thereof,” he added.

He appealed for unity behind both Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno to advance the state’s collective interests.

“May I therefore use this medium to appeal to all our people to unite firmly behind the Senate President and Governor Umo Eno as they jointly lead our dear state towards the land of promise, progress and prosperity for all,” he said, urging supporters to pray for him as he proceeds with the nomination process.

The Senate last Thursday received Tinubu’s request for the confirmation of 65 ambassadorial nominees, one of the largest diplomatic submissions under the current administration.

The request — read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary — consists of 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non-career nominees.

It arrived less than 24 hours after lawmakers began screening an earlier batch of three nominees.

Tinubu, relying on Section 171 subsections 1, 2 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution, urged the upper chamber to consider and confirm all nominees without delay.

Prominent non-career selections include former Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.); former Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete (retd.); and Ita Enang, who previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters.

Akpabio immediately referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing it to conclude screenings and submit its report within one week.

“The committee is to report back to us in one week,” he said.

ThePunch