Drama as Presidency withdraws Dakingari’s appointment as ambassador to Turkey

The Presidency has withdrawn the appointment of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Dakingari Suleiman, as Nigeria’s ambassador to Turkey, just days after his name was announced among the latest diplomatic postings.

The initial announcement was made on Thursday night by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who listed four ambassador-designates, including Dakingari. However, the decision has now been reversed, with the Presidency rescinding his nomination.

”Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey,” Onanuga had said in his initial statement.

Onanuga also disclosed at the time that President Bola Tinubu, who returned to the country over the weekend after a three-week overseas trip, was expected to travel to Turkey next week.

However, the Presidency later issued a second statement reversing Dakingari’s appointment.

”Please note that there was a naming mix-up for the ambassador-designate to Turkey. The posting is undergoing review. Thanks for your understanding,” Onanuga explained in the new statement.

The spokesman clarified that the review affected only Dakingari’s posting and did not apply to the other appointments earlier announced.

Those unaffected by the reversal are Ayodele Oke, ambassador-designate to France; Lateef Are, ambassador-designate to the United States of America; and Amin Dalhatu, high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.

Onanuga added that President Tinubu, in a memo addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directed the ministry to formally notify the governments of the three countries of the appointments, in line with established diplomatic procedures.