The presidency has withdrawn the posting of Usman Dakingari, a former governor of Kebbi State, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than 24 hours after announcing the latest round of ambassadorial appointments.
In a statement issued late Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the presidency confirmed that Bola Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from the more than 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate last December. The initial announcement listed Kayode Are, a former director-general of the Department of State Services, as ambassador-designate to the United States; Ayodele Oke, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency, as ambassador-designate to France; Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; and Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Dakingari’s posting, which was announced ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week, was later removed. In a follow-up statement released on Friday, the State House said no ambassador has been appointed to Turkey, effectively rescinding Dakingari’s nomination. The revised statement reaffirmed the postings of Are, Oke and Dalhatu, while omitting Dakingari’s name.
The presidency did not provide any explanation for the reversal. Onanuga said the president has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of the three countries, the United States, France and the United Kingdom, of the approved ambassador-designates, in line with established diplomatic procedures.