The Presidency has made a sudden U-turn regarding the diplomatic posting of Usman Saidu Dakingari, the former Governor of Kebbi State. Barely 24 hours after his name was linked to the ambassadorial role in Turkey, the government has moved to clarify that his appointment has been withdrawn.
This development was confirmed in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has only approved four specific ambassadorial postings out of the dozens of nominees cleared by the Senate late last year. In the updated list released by the State House, Dakingari’s name was conspicuously absent, and the initial announcement previously shared on social media was promptly deleted.
The approved appointments include high-profile security and diplomatic veterans. Kayode Are, the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), has been named the ambassador-designate to the United States. Similarly, Ayodele Oke, a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), will be heading to France, while Amin Dalhatu, who previously served as an envoy to South Korea, has been appointed as the High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
The timing of the withdrawal of Dakingari’s name has raised eyebrows in political circles, especially as it comes just days before President Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey. Despite the sudden change, the Presidency has not offered an official explanation as to why the former governor was dropped from the list.
To formalize these new roles, the Presidency has already notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A memo has been dispatched to begin the diplomatic process of informing the governments of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. As it stands, the position in Turkey remains vacant, with the government yet to name a replacement for the revoked slot.
