Tinubu removes Dakingari as Turkey ambassador-designate hours after announcement

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the posting of Usman Dakingari, former Kebbi governor, as ambassador-designate to Turkey, barely 24 hours after announcing ambassadorial postings.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, issued a statement Thursday night confirming President Tinubu’s approval of the posting of four ambassadors-designate out of the over 60 nominees confirmed last December.

The original list named Ambassador Ayodele Oke as ambassador-designate to France, Colonel Lateef Are as ambassador-designate to the United States of America, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former envoy to South Korea, as High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, and Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former Governor of Kebbi State, as 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The statement reiterated the postings of Are, Oke, and Dalhatu, and omitted Dakingari’s now-rescinded appointment.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.

Onanuga said 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.