Dakingari’s Appointment As Turkey Ambassador Withdrawn Shortly After Announcement

The Presidency has reversed the appointment of Usman Dakingari, former governor of Kebbi State, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than a day after the announcement was made.

On Thursday night, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced that President Bola Tinubu approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from the over 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate in December.

In that announcement, Kayode Are, a former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), was named ambassador-designate to the United States.

Ayodele Oke, former head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was posted to France, while Amin Dalhatu, a former ambassador to South Korea, was appointed high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.

Dakingari was listed as ambassador-designate to Turkey.

The appointment of Dakingari was notable because it came shortly before President Tinubu’s planned state visit to Turkey next week.

However, a new statement released by the State House on Friday clarified that no ambassador has been appointed to Turkey at this time.

The statement confirmed the postings of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu but removed Dakingari’s name without giving a reason for the reversal.

Onanuga added that Tinubu has sent a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directing it to inform the governments of the three countries about the approved ambassador-designates, in line with standard diplomatic practice.

The withdrawal notice reads: “CORRECTED: PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES THE POSTING OF 3 AMBASSADORS-DESIGNATE, NO AMBASSADOR FOR TURKEY YET

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of three ambassadors-designate, out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December.

“President Tinubu confirmed the postings of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France, and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America.

“Also confirmed by the President is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.

“In a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.”

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu also administered the oath of office to Ayo Omidiran as the new FCC chairperson, along with 37 commissioners drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.