President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the redeployment of ambassador-designates Femi Fani-Kayode and Ita Enang, swapping their earlier diplomatic postings to Germany and South Africa.

Fani-Kayode confirmed the development in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, announcing that he had now been assigned as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.

“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.

According to him, the redeployment came after he formally requested a change from his initial posting to Germany.

“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 said.

Fani-Kayode explained that his preference for South Africa was also influenced by ideological and diplomatic considerations.

“I also expressed the fact that 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 stated.

He disclosed that he applied for redeployment two days after the original announcement and said the request was favourably considered by the foreign affairs ministry and subsequently approved by President Tinubu.

“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, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, heard my reasons he considered them favourably after which he conveyed the request to Mr. President who graciously approved it,” he said.

Fani-Kayode expressed appreciation to both Tinubu and former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar for approving the redeployment.

“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration,” he added.

He also thanked Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa, for agreeing to the exchange.

“I also take this opportunity to thank Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and who was pleased to go to Germany instead, to agree for a straight swap,” he said.

Fani-Kayode further denied reports alleging that Germany rejected his nomination, describing the claims as false and malicious.

“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 sensationalism, lies and blackmail,” he stated.

According to him, the publication was intended to embarrass him and 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 and designed to embarrass my good self, the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

He added that the matter had been reported to security agencies while legal steps were also being initiated.

“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,” he said.

Fani-Kayode maintained that the reports of rejection by Germany were entirely false.

“What actually happened was that the day an ‘agreement’ was sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was on March 13th, it was leaked to them and 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 explained.

“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 added.

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 said.

Boluwatife Enome