Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he arranged former senator Ita Enang’s ambassadorial posting to Germany after Enang said he would continue criticizing Gov. Umo Eno, although the constitutional appointment authority rests with Nigeria’s president.
The International Christian Worship Centre in Uyo hosted Akpabio on Sunday, Nov. 1, at a prayer service connected to the All Progressives Congress’ preparations for the 2027 election. He recalled asking Enang to stop criticizing Eno and said Enang replied that he would not stop until he was given something to do. Akpabio added, “I decided to send him as ambassador to Germany.” A video of the event was posted to X.
Section 171 of Nigeria’s Constitution gives the president authority to appoint ambassadors, subject to Senate confirmation. The State House said the Senate confirmed the ambassador-designates in December and President Bola Tinubu approved their postings on March 6, 2026. The list assigned Enang to South Africa and ambassador-designate Femi Fani-Kayode to Germany.
Fani-Kayode’s account described a later swap after the March list assigned the two men to different countries. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry later said Enang presented his credentials in Germany, and the German Foreign Office lists him as ambassador from July 23, 2026. The official sources confirm his final posting but do not give a reason for the assignment change.
Akpabio’s account is not corroborated by the formal appointment records. Premium Times reported that Enang and an Akpabio spokesperson had not responded to its questions by the time it filed its report.
