Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, His Excellency, Ademola Seriki has reacted the gist making the rounds, that he committed some diplomatic breaches at his duty post in Madrid, saying the purveyors of the news were spreading falsehood.
Recall that thebladengr.com had published an earlier story in which it was alleged that he refused to ride his official Representative Car assigned to him from the Nigerian Embassy, but instead, opted to import his personal car from Lagos to Madrid at huge cost.
It was also alleged that he removed the Nigerian Embassy registered vehicle plate and put on his imported Range Rover illegally and without authorization from his host Ministry and that he was recently accosted in Madrid by the police for the “offence”.
But the four-time Minister and politician, has pooh-poohed the allegations, saying it was a figment of imagination of the tale bearers.
Speaking with thebladengr.com on Wednesday, the Ambassador said his job was to present the best image of Nigeria to the host country and not to flout their laws.
According to him, at no time has he been accosted by the police in his eight months of duty so far in Spain. Rather, the Ambassador said his administration has embarked on reforms which has intensified respect and support for Nigeria from Spain.
On the issue of bringing his car to Spain, the Ambassador said he had clearance from the highest level of the Ministry to do so. Hear him: “I am a politician and we love the jukebox, but I am now a diplomat now Charles but let me give you a little information on this matter. Although my home ministry has approved a car for me, there’s a process and it will take time to reach here.
“What I did was to explain my predicament to the Honourable Minister and I obtained permission to bring my car to Madrid. It did not cost the ministry one Naira. I paid for the shipping and clearing here in Madrid with my own money. Before this car came, I was jumping Uber. Nigerian Ambassador jumping Uber up and down, can you imagine that?”
“Even as I speak with you, the only car available to the Embassy is an errand car. I cover for my country, that’s my job and that’s why I brought the car. Except what those who gave you the story wanted was for me to call the Spanish press and inform them that my country has not bought me a car. That’s thrash. I have a hierarchy I answer to and believe me, I only operate with the approval of my home Government at all times.”
“I know the people waging this childish war. It’s a long story, but let us limit this discussion to the issue of my car. Thank you”, he concluded.
