After Controversy, Tinubu asks Senate to Confirm Dakingari as Ambassador

President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to confirm the appointment of Usman Isa Dakingari as a non-career ambassador.

The request was conveyed in a letter read on Tuesday during plenary by Godswill Akpabio, the senate president.

“I write for confirmation by the senate, the appointment of Usman Isa Dakingari as non-career ambassador,” the letter read.

“Whilst I hope that the senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, distinguished senate president, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Akpabio said the senate committee on foreign affairs would consider the request and report back within one week.

The letter follows a recent controversy after the presidency announced Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey despite his name not appearing on the list of nominees earlier confirmed by the senate.

The presidency said the posting was made from the 68 nominees confirmed by the upper chamber in December.

However, We also found that Dakingari’s name did not feature on the list screened, debated and approved by the senate.

Under the constitution, ambassadorial nominees are confirmed by the senate by name, and postings cannot be made for individuals not on the approved list.

The presidency withdrew Dakingari’s posting less than 24 hours after the announcement.