18.07.2026 09:20
Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, who began his duty as the Governor of Ardahan on January 14, was dismissed at midnight by a presidential decree. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu supporter Member of Parliament İnan Akgün Alp had called for his dismissal, saying about the cycling enthusiast Çiçekli, "He walks around in tights, such a governor cannot be."
Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, who made headlines in the Turkish Grand National Assembly with his photos and videos wearing tights while cycling, was dismissed from his post by a decree published with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In place of the dismissed Çiçekli, Ömer Hilmi Yamlı, the District Governor of Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district, was appointed as the Governor of Ardahan.
"SUCH A GOVERNOR IS UNACCEPTABLE, HE MUST RESIGN"
Images of Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli wearing tights while cycling had recently become one of the most talked-about topics in politics and social media. Following the spread of the images, CHP Kars Deputy İnan Akgün Alp made harsh remarks about the governor during his speech in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and called for his resignation. Deputy Alp said the following about Governor Çiçekli, known for his passion for cycling: "He walks around in tights, such a governor is unacceptable. He must resign immediately."
DISMISSED FROM DUTY
Following this "tights" debate and resignation demands raised from the parliament podium, a critical move came from the Presidency. According to the appointment decree published at midnight with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli was removed from his post as the Governor of Ardahan. In line with the decree, the successful District Governor Ömer Hilmi Yamlı, who served in Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district, was appointed to the vacant governor seat. After the change of duty, it is expected that the new governor will arrive in Ardahan in the coming days and begin his work.