The presidency has reversed the posting of Usman Dakingari, former governor of Kebbi State, as ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than 24 hours after the announcement of ambassadorial postings.
In a statement issued on Thursday night, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the deployment of four ambassadors-designate from the more than 60 nominees confirmed in December.
According to the earlier announcement, Kayode Are, former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), was named Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to the United States, while Ayodele Oke, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was posted to France. Amin Dalhatu, a former ambassador to South Korea, was appointed high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, and Dakingari was listed as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
However, a fresh statement released on Friday by the State House clarified that no ambassador has been appointed to Turkey, effectively nullifying Dakingari’s posting.
The revised statement reaffirmed the appointments of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu, but made no mention of Dakingari. No explanation was provided for the reversal.
Onanuga added that Tinubu has formally communicated with the ministry of foreign affairs to notify the governments of the three countries of the ambassadors-designate, in line with established diplomatic protocols.