Press Release
The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Advocates for Peace and Justice, Dr. Tom FredFish has described the non-inclusion of Akwa Ibom person from the just released ambassadorial list as ‘‘This omission is shocking, insulting, and deeply revealing.’’
Fredfish shocked by the action stated that this ‘‘diplomatic embarrassment that has further exposed the political unseriousness of the Akwa Ibom State government and the chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).’’
In a press release of Saturday, November 29, and titled: Akwa Ibom APC and the Great Ambassadorial Vanishing Act, he noted ‘‘The newly released ambassadorial list which should reflect national fairness, competence, and unity has completely excluded Akwa Ibom State. Not a single nominee was considered worthy of representation, either as a career or non-career ambassador.’’
This is coming as President Bola Tinubu forwarded the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Already, Akwa Ibom State is APC stronghold following the defection of Governor Umo Eno from PDP to the party.
Moreover, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the 10th Senate President of the Red Chambers, hails from Akwa Ibom State.
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TomFish said ‘‘In a list featuring prominent Nigerians such as Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Otunba Femi Pedro, Grace Bent, and many more, every region and almost every politically active state found a place at the table, except Akwa Ibom, whose name appears to have been “lost” between Abia and Adamawa.
‘‘While Governor Umo Eno has been tirelessly engaging the Federal Government, “building bridges, potholes, caravans, opening channels”, and ensuring Akwa Ibom benefits from national opportunities, the APC in Akwa Ibom has been busy with events that have no value to the state or the centre.
‘‘A troubling observation is that, the shameful exclusion of Akwa Ibom from the ambassadorial list may not be unconnected to the behaviour of the state APC itself.’’
He queried ‘‘How can a party expect federal favour when, at a time President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was, allegedly depressed, battling political tension and national insecurity, so intense it was rumoured to have weighed heavily on his mental state, the Akwa Ibom APC was busy organizing “political homecoming carnivals” and dancing to praise songs, as though Nigeria were in a season of celebration?’[‘
‘‘While the President was fighting nightmares of nationwide insecurity, the APC in Akwa Ibom was fighting for photo ops. While the nation was mourning victims of violence and uncertainty, the Akwa Ibom APC was celebrating imaginary victories. In such moments, how can anyone blame the Presidency for wondering whether Akwa Ibom State is serious enough to be trusted with sensitive diplomatic responsibilities?
‘’Even states with far less political weight earned ambassadorial positions, yet Akwa Ibom, one of the most peaceful, educated, and politically strategic states, got nothing. This is not a mistake. It is a statement.
But as responsible advocates of peace and justice, we wish to appeal to the conscience of the President: Your Excellency, forgive Akwa Ibom. Forgive the poor judgment of the APC leadership in the State. Forgive their carnival at a time of national sorrow.
”Forgive their inability to align with your struggles, your battles, and the challenges you face leading this nation.
Most importantly, remember that 2027 is coming. You will need Akwa Ibom again, even though as it stands today, the APC in Akwa Ibom has done nothing to win the confidence of the masses, its goodwill, its votes, its stability, and its people. If anything, they have pushed the people further away through their insensitivity and poor political calculation.”
The Chairman urged the President to look beyond the failings of his party in the state and remember the hardworking, peace-loving, and loyal people of Akwa Ibom who contribute immensely to Nigeria’s progress.
‘‘Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated maturity, cooperation, and goodwill toward the Federal Government. He should not be punished for the political clumsiness of those who claim to represent the APC in the state. Akwa Ibom deserves inclusion, not exclusion; appreciation, not abandonment.
‘‘As for the Akwa Ibom APC, this should be a moment of sober reflection. A party that cannot secure even one ambassadorial certificate of survival has no moral justification to shout “we are at the centre.” Political relevance is measured by results, not rallies. Federal appointments are earned by competence, contribution, and credibility not by dancing during insecurity crises.
‘’Akwa Ibom PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPaJ) calls for fairness, wisdom, and national inclusion. Our people must never again be left out of Nigeria’s diplomatic representation,’’ he added.
Ambassadors-Designate sent to Senate for confirmation
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, said the nominees include 17 non-career ambassadors and 15 career ambassadors, who will be posted to countries and international organisations critical to Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Below is the full list:
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 Nominees)
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
Reno Omokri (Delta) – Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi) – Former INEC Chairman
Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti) – Former Ekiti First Lady
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – Former Governor of Enugu State
Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina) – Former Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly
Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau) – Former Plateau Commissioner, ex-Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau) – Former Senator
Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos) – Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun) – Former Aviation Minister
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra) – Legal practitioner
Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo) – Former First Lady of Oyo State
Lola Akande (Lagos) – Former Lagos State Commissioner
Grace Bent (Adamawa) – Former Senator
Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) – Former Governor of Abia State
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) – Businessman and former Senator
Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue) – Former Ambassador to the Holy See
Career Ambassadors (15 Nominees)
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)
The nominees are expected to be posted to strategic countries, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Permanent Missions such as the UN, UNESCO, and the African Union. Diplomatic assignments will be communicated after Senate confirmation.
