Presidency Reverses Dakingari's Turkey Ambassador Appointment Within Hours
The Nigerian presidency has executed a swift reversal in diplomatic appointments, withdrawing the posting of Usman Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey less than twenty-four hours after the initial announcement. This development occurred amidst President Bola Tinubu's preparations for an upcoming state visit to Turkey, creating significant diplomatic intrigue.
Sudden Withdrawal of Diplomatic Posting
In a surprising turn of events, the State House issued a follow-up statement on Friday clarifying that no ambassador has been appointed to Turkey, effectively rescinding Dakingari's nomination. The former Kebbi State governor's name was conspicuously omitted from the revised diplomatic posting list, while three other ambassador-designates maintained their confirmed positions.
The presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that President Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from the more than sixty nominees confirmed by the Senate in December. The initial Thursday announcement had included:
- Kayode Are, 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
- Usman Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey
Diplomatic Procedures and Official Communications
The presidency has initiated formal diplomatic procedures following the revised appointments. According to Onanuga, President Tinubu has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to officially notify the governments of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom about their respective ambassador-designates. This communication aligns with established diplomatic protocols for such international appointments.
Notably, the presidency has not provided any explanation for the sudden reversal regarding Dakingari's Turkey posting. The timing is particularly significant given President Tinubu's scheduled state visit to Turkey next week, raising questions about the diplomatic considerations behind this eleventh-hour change.
Confirmed Diplomatic Postings Remain Intact
The revised statement from the State House reaffirmed the postings of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu to their respective diplomatic positions. These three appointments represent strategic diplomatic placements involving key international partners of Nigeria, including major Western nations with significant economic and political ties to the country.
This development highlights the dynamic nature of diplomatic appointments and the careful considerations involved in international postings. The swift reversal, occurring within hours of the initial announcement, underscores the complexity of diplomatic decision-making at the highest levels of government.
