Why I chose South Africa over Germany — Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved his redeployment from Germany to South Africa after he personally requested a change in his diplomatic posting.

Fani-Kayode disclosed that he was initially appointed as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Germany but later appealed to the Federal Government to redeploy him to South Africa, citing personal reasons and his interest in serving in an African country aligned with his political and ideological views.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the former minister said he made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, shortly after the initial postings were announced.

According to him, he requested the redeployment because he had spent most of his life in Europe and preferred to serve in South Africa, a country he described as economically influential in Africa and closer to his Pan-African foreign policy convictions.

He said the request was later approved by President Tinubu after Tuggar conveyed it to him.

Fani-Kayode also revealed that Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, agreed to swap postings and proceed to Germany instead.

The former minister’s clarification comes amid reports circulated by an online publication alleging that the German government rejected his nomination as ambassador.

Denying the claims, Fani-Kayode insisted that Germany never turned down his appointment and described the reports as false, malicious and intended to embarrass him and the Federal Government.

According to him, the reports emerged after diplomatic communication relating to his redeployment was sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13 and subsequently leaked.

He alleged that the publication deliberately misrepresented the development by portraying it as a rejection by Germany.

Fani-Kayode accused the online platform behind the report of spreading misinformation and sensationalism, adding that security agencies had been petitioned over the matter.

He also disclosed that his legal team had been directed to initiate a defamation suit against those responsible for the publication.

The ambassador-designate challenged the publication to provide documentary evidence showing that Germany formally rejected his appointment.

He said the clarification became necessary following concerns raised by associates and supporters over the controversy surrounding his diplomatic posting.

Fani-Kayode added that he looked forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as one he admired for its history, political evolution and role on the African continent.