Controversy as Tinubu withdraws Usman Dakingari’s Turkey posting hours after announcement

The Presidency’s abrupt withdrawal of Usman Isa Dakingari’s appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey has sparked fresh debate, not only about the reversal itself but also about the limits of presidential powers in ambassadorial postings.

Business Hallmark gathered that the decision was informed by the understanding that Turkey is a strategic country that requires career diplomats, not politicians.

Dakingari, a politician and former governor of Kebbi State, was announced on Thursday night as one of four ambassador-designates approved by President Bola Tinubu, barely 24 hours before the decision was rescinded.

But beyond the requirement of career diplomat, the sudden turnaround has raised questions over the Federal Government’s handling of the long-awaited deployment of ambassadors.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from the list of over 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate in December.

The statement named Retired Colonel Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), as ambassador-designate to the United States; Ayodele Oke, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to France; Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; and Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey.

Dakingari’s inclusion drew particular attention because it coincided with President Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week, fuelling speculation that the appointment was intended to strengthen diplomatic engagement ahead of the trip.

However, in a follow-up statement released on Friday by the State House, the presidency reversed course, announcing that no ambassador had been appointed to Turkey. While the postings of Are, Oke and Dalhatu were reaffirmed, Dakingari’s name was omitted, effectively nullifying his appointment. No explanation was offered for the withdrawal.

Beyond the reversal, diplomatic observers note that the entire episode reflects a deeper procedural issue. Under international diplomatic practice, the Nigerian president does not have the unilateral power to “post” ambassadors to foreign countries. Rather, the president nominates and recommends ambassadors, subject first to Senate confirmation and ultimately to the acceptance, known as agrément, of the host countries. Until such acceptance is granted, no posting is final.

Against this backdrop, analysts describe the presidency’s initial announcement that Tinubu had “posted” ambassadors to the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey as a diplomatic misstep. They argue that the language suggested a level of authority that rests instead with host nations, which retain the right to accept or reject any ambassador-designate.

This context has also led to speculation that Dakingari’s withdrawn posting may not be an isolated case, as other announced deployments could still be altered depending on diplomatic feedback from receiving countries.

Onanuga said  Tinubu has written a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directing it to notify the governments of the United States, France and the United Kingdom about the ambassador-designates, in line with established diplomatic procedures, an indication that formal acceptance processes are still underway.

The development comes as the Tinubu administration seeks to complete the deployment of Nigeria’s ambassadors months after the Senate confirmed dozens of career and non-career nominees.