Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his redeployment from Germany to South Africa as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate following a personal request.
Fani-Kayode disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that his initial posting to Germany was changed after he formally appealed to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
According to him, the request was based on personal considerations and his long-standing interest in South Africa and Pan-African diplomacy.
“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 stated.
He said he also preferred serving in a country whose foreign policy orientation and continental outlook aligned more closely with his convictions.
“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs 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,” he added.
Fani-Kayode expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Tuggar for approving the redeployment request.
“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration,” he said.
He also thanked Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a swap that saw him move to Germany instead.
The former minister used the opportunity to dismiss media reports claiming Germany rejected his diplomatic nomination, describing the reports as false and malicious.
“Germany NEVER rejected me,” he declared.
He accused an unnamed online publication of publishing fabricated reports intended to embarrass him and damage his reputation.
“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,” he said.
Fani-Kayode revealed that petitions had already been submitted to security agencies while his legal team had been directed to commence defamation proceedings against those behind the publication.
According to him, the controversy began after documents relating to his redeployment to South Africa were leaked and wrongly interpreted as evidence of diplomatic rejection by Germany.
“If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence,” he stated.
He said the clarification became necessary following concerns raised by associates and supporters over the reports.
Fani-Kayode concluded by expressing optimism about his new diplomatic role.
“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 said.