By Ogochukwu Isioma
Former Minister of Aviation and Ambassador-Designate, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa following his personal request to be moved from Germany.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Fani-Kayode said the decision came after he formally approached the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, explaining why he preferred South Africa.
“This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation… that I was not comfortable with Germany for a number of personal reasons,” he said.
According to him, he requested redeployment because he had spent most of his life in Europe and wanted to serve in an African country whose worldview and political outlook aligned more closely with his own.
“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs… and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan-African vision,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Tuggar for approving the request.
“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration,” he said.
He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa, for agreeing to switch postings and proceed to Germany instead.
Addressing media reports that Germany rejected his nomination, the former minister dismissed the claims as false and malicious.
“Germany NEVER rejected me,” he declared.
He accused an unnamed online publication of spreading fabricated reports aimed at embarrassing him and damaging both his reputation and that of the Federal Government.
“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 disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to security agencies over the publication, while legal action for defamation was also being prepared.
“We have reported the online magazine and the individuals behind it… and we shall be suing them in a civil action for defamation,” he added.
Explaining how the controversy began, he said an agreement sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13 was leaked and wrongly interpreted as evidence that Germany had rejected him.
“If there was such a formal rejection, I challenge them to bring documentary evidence,” he said.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the reports were entirely false and urged media organisations to exercise greater professionalism and caution in their reporting.
He added that he looked forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as one he admired for its history and role on the African continent.
“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.
