Africa
50 Ambassadors Stranded in Abuja
By Damilola Oyedele, This Day 2/5/08
May 5, 2008 - 7:58:28 AM

One hundred and eighty days after their confirmation by the Senate, only about 10 of the 61 ambassadors-designate have left for their countries of posting while about 50 of them are still in Nigeria literarily abandoned.

Some of those who have already left for their place of postings included among others former Senate Leader, Senator Dalhatu Tafida -United Kingdom, Prof. Joy Ogwu-United Nations (UN)’s mission in New York, General Timothy Shephildi-Russia, General Oluwole Rotimi-United States (US) and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro-Ghana.

THISDAY gathered that most of the ambassadors-designate are still being delayed by “agreemon”, that is the necessary clearance document needed from their countries of destination, a form of approval from the receiving countries after they have done a background check on the ambassadors-designate to determine if he/she is the kind of person they want in their country.

But it was learnt that the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali, may have rejected his posting to South Africa.

Ali was said to have shown preference for the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK).

Six weeks ago, at the Presidential dinner held to bid them farewell in Abuja, it was disclosed that letters of acceptance from 20 countries were ready and were simply waiting for President Umaru Musa Yar‘Adua’s signature.

Some of them, especially politicians, are back in their hometowns throwing themselves actively into politics.

In some cases, fresh elections are being ordered by election petition tribunals across the country.

There are speculations already that some of the ambassadors-designate have been rejected by their countries of posting because of unsatisfactory findings in the course of investigation.

THISDAY also gathered that some of the ambassadors-designate are being delayed due to logistics problems, especially funds by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Officials of the ministry could not confirm if the ambassadors-designate have already been receiving salaries or allowances since their posting.

Forty letters of credence were sent by President Yar’Adua for endorsement just three weeks ago.

The delay in leaving for their countries of posting has been partly due to the varying process in the issuance of acceptance by the host countries and the personal and administrative matter the ambassadors-designate are to handle before leaving.

However, from all indications, former PDP chairman, Ali, may have rejected the offer of ambassador-designate to South Africa because his lobby for Britain and other European countries or United States of America (USA) did not pull through. 

It could not be confirmed, however, if Ali has been replaced.

But sources said it was not Ali who rejected the offer but his country of posting, South Africa.

Since the Senate confirmed the ambassadorial postings, the Federal Government was yet to come up with the postings of the ambassadors-designate.

But some said some of the prospective ambassadors had been told of their postings and had even reported at their stations.