Femi Fani-Kayode, the former aviation minister, has confirmed his appointment as Nigeria's ambassador-designate to South Africa. He dismissed claims that Germany rejected him as "false" and "malicious."
In a statement Thursday, Fani-Kayode said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his move after he personally requested a change from Germany. "It gives me pleasure to announce that Mr.
President has graciously approved my posting," he said.
He'd approached Yusuf Tuggar, the immediate past foreign affairs minister, shortly after the initial ambassador list came out. Tuggar considered his request favourably and forwarded it to Tinubu, who approved the switch.
Fani-Kayode explained his preference for South Africa over Germany in clear terms. He'd spent most of his life in Europe and wanted to serve in an African nation instead.
"I would prefer to go to South Africa, which is a country I had never been to and for which I have so much interest," he noted. He wanted a posting aligned with his political convictions and pan-African vision.
South Africa, he added, has Africa's largest economy and closer ties to Nigeria. It also shares his worldview on foreign affairs and continental matters.
Fani-Kayode expressed gratitude to both Tuggar and the president for the decision. He also thanked Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to swap positions and go to Germany instead.
But Fani-Kayode came down hard on reports claiming Germany had refused to accept him. An online publication had made the allegation in recent days.
"I take this opportunity to once again confirm that this was my choice and that Germany NEVER rejected me," he stated firmly. He called the report "a total and complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip."
According to him, preliminary findings suggest the report was "sponsored" and written with malicious intent. He believes it was designed to embarrass both him and the Federal Government.
Fani-Kayode has submitted petitions to security agencies over the publication. His lawyers have been instructed to file a civil defamation suit against those responsible.
"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. He maintained that Germany never issued any formal rejection.
He challenged the report's authors to produce documentary evidence of a German refusal. "If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence," Fani-Kayode said.
Friends and associates had expressed concerns about the reports, prompting his statement. He felt compelled to set the record straight publicly.
Looking ahead, Fani-Kayode said he's eager to serve in South Africa. He described the country as "a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history."
