Presidency Cancels Usman Dakingari’s Turkey Ambassador Posting

The presidency has withdrawn the appointment of Usman Dakingari, former governor of Kebbi State, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than 24 hours after the posting was announced.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed Thursday night that President Bola Tinubu had approved four ambassadorial postings from the list of over 60 nominees confirmed last December.

The approved appointments are:

* Kayode Are, former director-general of the Department of State Services, to the United States.

* Ayodele Oke, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency, to France.

* Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.

* Usman Dakingari to Turkey.

Dakingari’s posting, announced ahead of President Tinubu’s planned state visit to Turkey next week, has since been rescinded. A statement issued Friday by the State House clarified that no ambassador has been assigned to Turkey.

The statement reaffirmed the postings of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu, but did not provide an explanation for the reversal of Dakingari’s appointment.

Onanuga added that President Tinubu has formally notified the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate, following diplomatic protocol.