A former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, told Leke Baiyewu his position on the recent controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State. He denied reports that he had been expelled from the party, stating, “I have not been expelled. Nobody can expel me; I am the only person who can expel anyone else.” He explained that expulsion requires a formal allegation, a notice to the accused, and an opportunity to respond—none of which occurred. The chairman and all executive members of the ward, local government, and state chapter of the APC have confirmed that no such decision was made, rendering any announcement of expulsion null and void.
When asked whether he had been accused of anything, Enang said the alleged charge was that he had gone to court. He clarified that he attended court to defend his mandate as the APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, not to sue anyone. The Federal High Court struck out the suit in his favour for lack of jurisdiction. He accused his opponents of releasing a fake document on 25 January to persuade the court that he was no longer a party member, hoping the court would rule against him. Enang added that they expected he would not appeal to the Supreme Court, but he has already filed that appeal. “There is nothing I have done that warranted such an allegation or fake news,” he asserted, noting that he chose to respond out of respect for Baiyewu and to present both sides.
Regarding Baiyewu’s previous affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining the APC, Enang said nothing has happened to him within the APC. He suggested that those he helped shelter from political persecution by the PDP are now attacking him, similar to how they treated him in the PDP. Nevertheless, he expressed “great peace, accommodation and satisfaction” with the APC and affirmed that he has no problem with the party.
When asked about his experience as a presidential aide on Niger Delta affairs and the formation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board, Enang declined to comment on the independent organization’s internal matters, noting that the board and its management structure have only just been established and need time to settle.
On the criticism that the current 9th National Assembly is a rubber‑stamp appendage of the executive, Enang disagreed. He argued that the public’s expectation that the legislature should act like NADECO—a pro‑democracy coalition—or as an opposition to the executive is misplaced. He recalled the turbulent period under former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, when crises were managed and the two houses eventually worked together. He said the present executive and legislative leadership emerged consensually and cooperate as one government, which does not make the legislature a rubber stamp. While some bills have been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent and not signed, he noted that contentious issues are usually addressed at the party caucus level.
Enang compared the situation to the United States, where President Joe Biden now faces a Congress dominated by the Republican Party, creating tension similar to the past when the Nigerian legislature was controlled by the PDP while the executive was APC‑led. He concluded that such dynamics are normal and do not imply that the National Assembly is merely a rubber stamp.
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