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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, describing the development as a personal choice and dismissing reports that Germany rejected his posting as false.
In a statement on Thursday, Fani-Kayode said President Bola Tinubu approved his redeployment to South Africa after he formally requested a change from his initial posting to Germany.
“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 said.
According to him, the decision followed a representation he made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, citing personal reasons and his preference for a posting within Africa.
“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.
Fani-Kayode added that he sought to serve in a country aligned with his ideological leanings on global affairs and pan-Africanism.
“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, closer ties to Nigeria and is more proximate to my political thinking,” he said.
He disclosed that his request for redeployment was made two days after the initial announcement and was favourably considered by Tuggar, who then relayed it to the President for approval.
“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration,” he added.
Fani-Kayode also acknowledged the role of Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa but agreed to a “straight swap” with him to Germany.
Addressing reports that Germany rejected his nomination, the ambassador-designate firmly denied the claim, describing it as fabricated.
“I take this opportunity to once again confirm that this was my choice and that Germany NEVER formally rejected me,” he said.
He accused an unnamed online publication of publishing “irresponsible and insulting” content.
“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.
FFK, further alleged that the report was sponsored and written with malicious intent to damage his reputation.
“Our findings after a preliminary investigation was that the story was not only sponsored but was also written with malicious intent to hurt and destroy my career,” he stated.
He disclosed that a petition has been filed with security agencies, while his legal team has been instructed to initiate a defamation suit.
“I have also briefed my lawyers to take up the matter and we shall be suing them in a civil action for defamation,” he said.
Providing clarification on the sequence of events, he explained that a diplomatic communication sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13 was leaked and misrepresented.
“They falsely and maliciously reported that it was sent only because I had been formally rejected by Germany, which they knew to be false,” he said.
Challenging the publication to substantiate its claim, he added: “If there was such a formal rejection, I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence. I repeat, this never happened.”
He said the statement became necessary to address concerns raised by associates and to set the record straight.
“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.