President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassigned Femi Fani-Kayode to South Africa as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate following controversy surrounding his earlier diplomatic posting to Germany.
Fani-Kayode disclosed the development on Thursday through a statement shared on his verified Facebook page.
The former minister had initially been announced by the federal government as Nigeria’s envoy to Germany, but reports later emerged claiming that the European country rejected his appointment.
However, Fani-Kayode denied the reports, insisting that he personally requested redeployment because he was uncomfortable with the Germany posting.
“It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr. President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he wrote.
“This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, that I was not comfortable with Germany for a number of personal reasons and given the fact that I had lived in Europe most of my life I would prefer to go to South Africa which is a country that I had never been to and for which I have so much interest.”
He further explained that he preferred serving in a country whose worldview and political outlook aligned more closely with his beliefs.
“I also expressed the fact that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beilefs and values when it comes to world affairs, that has the biggest economy in Africa, that has closer ties to Nigeria and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan African vision.”
According to him, he formally applied for redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement.
“I therefore made an application for a redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons he considered them favourably after which he conveyed the request to Mr. President who graciously approved it.”
Fani-Kayode thanked President Tinubu and former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar for approving the request.
He also acknowledged Senator Sam Enang, who was originally assigned to South Africa but later agreed to swap postings with him and move to Germany instead.
The former minister strongly denied reports that Germany formally rejected him.
“I take this opportunity to once again confirm that this was my choice and that Germany NEVER formally rejected me, which was a fake report that was published in an irresponsible online magazine that thrives on sensationslism, lies and blackmail.”
“Their story was not only irresponsible and insulting but was also a total and complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip and designed to embarass my goodself, the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He added that preliminary findings suggested the report was sponsored and maliciously intended to damage his reputation.
“We have reported the online magazine and the individuals that are behind it with a petition to the relevant security agencies for necessary action.
“I have also briefed my lawyers to take up the matter and we shall be suing them in a civil action for defamation.”
Fani-Kayode maintained that no formal rejection was ever issued by Germany and challenged those behind the report to provide documentary proof.
“If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence.
“I repeat this never happened and I urge the media to be far more circumspect with such reports.”
He concluded by expressing optimism about serving in South Africa.
“God-willing, I look forward to serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history,” he stated.
