Nigerian Senate has received 65 new Ambassadorial nominees including a former Rivers State Sole administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas and ex-Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau.
The list forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate include non-career ambassadorial nominees such as the former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East (2011-2015), Ita Enang, as ex-Imo State First Lady Chioma Ohakim, and Senator Folasade Grace Bent.
The nominees were contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary in Abuja on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Tinubu, in the letter, appealed to the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominees, saying it was to “ensure that key diplomatic vacancies are promptly filled.”
Akpabio thereafter forwarded the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing the panel “to complete its screening and submit its report within one week.”
The new nominees were not included in the earlier batch of ambassadorial nominees released by the presidency.
The full list of 65 nominees consists of 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners. Notable career nominees include Sulu-Gambari Olatunde Ahmed from Kwara State and Segun Ige from Edo State.
Senator Ita Enang appointed as an Ambassador
Akpabio also noted that three previously forwarded nominees; Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State), “have been screened by its committee on Foreign Affairs, while the new 65 nominees have been forwarded to the same committee for screening within one week.”
Akpabio’s backlash countered
Meanwhile, when President Tinubu released the first Ambassadorial list without a name from Akwa Ibom, many carpeted Akpabio for not assisting in nominating a person from the state.
However, Umoren Ebong writing on the title: Ambassadors Appointment using his social media especially Facebook faulted their claim, listing the various Federal appointments Akpabio facilitated since his emergence as the Senate President of the 10th Senate.
”I have observed numerous individuals from Akwa Ibom attempting to criticize the Senate President solely due to the lack of nominations for ambassadorial appointments from Akwa Ibom State. Some have gone as far as blaming the Governor for aligning with the Senate President.
”Please, do not take offense; I aim to present a balanced perspective, emphasizing that nobody is naive.
”Why are we adopting this stance?” Ebong wrote.
Under the leadership of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, Akwa Ibom State has benefited from numerous key appointments, including:
Minister of State, Petroleum, and Gas;
Chairman of the National Assembly Commission;
Chairman of the South-South Commission;
Chairman of numerous university and federal polytechnic boards;
Members of numerous federal boards, representing both Annang and Ibibio, with no discrimination.
According to him, ”Instead of appreciating the Senate President’s efforts, some individuals are hiding behind assumed Facebook accounts to assail him.
”It is essential to recognize that nobody is naive.”
When Udoedehe from Uyo Senatorial District was appointed National Secretary of the party, he spent his tenure fighting Akpabio. Today, Akpabio is in a position to reciprocate, but he chooses love over hate, and it is he who deserves our appreciation.
During Akpabio’s tenure as Minister of Niger Delta, he revealed the vast opportunities available in the NDDC, appointing numerous sons and daughters from Akwa Ibom into the commission. Many of them continue to work there today.
However, when Umana Okon Umana held the same office, he terminated all contract staff referred by our leader, and heaven did not fall. Nobody is naive.
As the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio invested heavily in Uyo Senatorial District then , empowering numerous young people and fighting for Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to become Governor.
Immediately after Akpabio left office, tribalism took hold, and those he had empowered from Uyo Senatorial District were emboldened to insult him, disregarding his contributions. Heaven did not fall.
In Annang, throughout Udom Gabriel Emmanuel’s tenure, no tangible projects were initiated, and heaven did not fall.
In Eket Senatorial District, there is a senator who has not been insulted by his constituents because he is one of their own.
Similarly, in Uyo Senatorial District, there is a senator who has not been insulted by his constituents. Instead, they should ask him why Tinubu has not nominated anyone from Akwa Ibom State for ambassadorial appointments. Their function is limited, and all they know is to assail Akpabio.
Recall that Obong Effiong Eyo, popularly known as Eyo Uyo, was the first Commissioner of Agriculture under Brigadier U.J. Esuene.
Can I discuss Brigadier U.J. Esuene himself, or even Nkanga?
Nobody is naive.
If you are from Uyo Senatorial District, ask your senator to request ambassadorial appointments.
If you are from Eket Senatorial District, ask your senator to do the same, as it is not a one-man responsibility. Leave Akpabio alone.
Even if Tinubu appoints everyone from Ekom Iman junction to Uruan, nothing will change; they will still repay KPABIO with bad coins.” he added.
