Presidency denies mass recall of envoys

The Federal Government has dismissed reports claiming that there was a mass recall of ambassadors.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement yesterday, said only 25 career ambassadors, who attained the retirement age or had been in public service for 35 years, were recalled.

He clarified: “There was nothing like mass recall of ambassadors. What happened lately is that 25 career ambassadors, who attained the retirement age or 35 years of public service in December 2018, were recalled.

“They were allowed to remain at their duty posts, given an extension, if that is the word, in view of the upcoming elections, which are now behind us.

“No other ambassadors, besides these ones, are recalled.”

The presidential spokesman added: “The non-career ambassadors are in place while career ambassadors with more years of public service remain where they are.”