EXCLUSIVE: Former presidential aide prevented from meeting Tinubu

Ita Enang, a former adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, was blocked by security officials from gaining access to Bola Tinubu when the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate visited the state of 'Akwa Ibom for his campaign rally.

Mr. Tinubu was in Uyo on January 30 for the continuation of his national campaign tour ahead of the February 25 elections.

Mr. Enang, who is a contender for the party's 2023 governorship in Akwa Ibom, was at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, alongside several other APC leaders, to receive Mr Tinubu but was pointed out of the finger by security officials who told him he would not be allowed to meet the APC presidential candidate, PREMIUM TIMES has learned.

The Akwa Ibom State branch of the APC, a few days before Mr. Tinubu's visit, had announced the expulsion of Mr. Enang from the APC because of his dispute over the ticket of party governorship in the state. But Mr. Enang rebuffed them, saying he remained a party member.

Mr. Enang confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday that he was prevented from meeting Mr. Tinubu at Uyo airport.

Ita Enang, former adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari [PHOTO CREDIT: @SenItaEnang]

Nigerian Senate Speaker Ahmad Lawan was already at the airport with other dignitaries awaiting Mr Tinubu's arrival when security officials confronted Mr Enang, who is a former senator. Dead end

There was at least an hour of confrontation between Mr. Enang and security officials, Mr. Enang said.

He told this reporter what happened between him and the security officials.

"I was told they would not let me in because it is alleged and suspected that I have a lot of my campaign materials and supporters and am coming to launch my gubernatorial campaign at the same time and place that the gathering is happening at the stadium and during the pre-event, and that they have information that my presence may cause conflicts and confrontations between my supporters, my team and the team of other people, which can be overwhelming for the security check and can lead to an untoward situation, so it would be appropriate to avoid this, I should not enter,” he said.

Mr. Enang said he had to leave the airport because he didn't want "anything to overshadow the gathering".

"I considered that given my status, it would not be appropriate for me to confront the situation with force as it could spiral out of control.

"This is our party, I don't want anything to affect the success we anticipate in the election," he said.

APC spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Otoabasi Udo, told this newspaper that it was impossible for the former presidential aide to attend Uyo's rally since he "is no longer a member of the PA...