Confusion as Presidency withdraws Dakingari’s posting as Turkey ambassador-designate

The presidency on Friday withdrew the posting of Usman Dakingari, former Kebbi governor, as ambassador-designate to Turkey, barely 24 hours after announcing his posting.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday night isued a statement confirming President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the posting of four ambassadors-designate out of the over 60 nominees confirmed last December.

Kayode Are, former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), was appointed Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to the United States.

Ayodele Oke, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was posted to France; Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, was appointed high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; while Dakingari was made ambassador-designate to Turkey.

Dakingari’s appointment came ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week.

But in a statement released Friday by the State House, Onanuga said no ambassador has been appointed to Turkey.
The statement reiterated the postings of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu, and omitted Dakingari’s now-rescinded appointment.

The presidency did not give a reason for the change.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu has written a memo to the ministry of foreign affairs to notify the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.