Former Aviation Minister and ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed claims that the Germany government rejected his diplomatic nomination, insisting that his redeployment was based on personal preference.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Fani-Kayode explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his request to be reassigned to South Africa after he formally appealed to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
He stated that although he was initially announced as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Germany, he later became uncomfortable with the posting because he had spent most of his life in Europe and preferred to serve in a country he had never visited before.
According to him, South Africa better reflects his views on African unity, economic cooperation, and Pan-African ideals.
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“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode revealed that he applied for redeployment just two days after the original announcement and said Tuggar approved the request before forwarding it to the President for final approval.
He also expressed appreciation to Senator Sam Enang, who was initially assigned to South Africa, for agreeing to exchange postings and move to Germany instead.
The former minister, however, strongly denied reports published by an unnamed online platform alleging that Germany rejected his nomination.
He described the claims as “false,” “malicious,” and “a complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip.”
According to him, the report was designed to embarrass him, the Federal Government, and President Tinubu by spreading misleading information about his diplomatic redeployment.
Fani-Kayode further disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to security agencies regarding the publication, while his legal team had been directed to begin defamation proceedings against those involved.
Clarifying the issue, he said a diplomatic agreement reportedly 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 provide documentary proof,” he said.
He maintained that no official rejection ever took place and urged media organisations to verify sensitive reports before publication.
Fani-Kayode added that he is looking forward to representing Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as one he deeply admires because of its “remarkable and inspiring history.”
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