It appeared to be a routine change in leadership in northeast Turkey, of limited regional significance.
According to Articles 2, 3, and 4 of Presidential Decree No. 3, Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, governor of Ardahan, was removed from his post.
However, the brief statement from the Turkish president’s office last week did not provide any reason for the dismissal of Mr. Cicekli, who had been appointed in January as governor of Ardahan, a province of roughly 90,000 residents in northeast Turkey.
Nevertheless, some observers began speculating that the dismissal was linked to his cycling apparel.
Mr. Cicekli is an avid cyclist who has organized cycling events and frequently shares photos and videos of himself riding. In these images he typically wears form‑fitting leggings and jerseys typical of serious cyclists.
This drew criticism from political opponents. According to local media, opposition Republican People’s Party lawmaker Inan Akgun Alp deemed the issue worthy of parliamentary discussion.
He referred to Mr. Cicekli as a “TikTok governor,” the Hurriyet Daily News reported, adding: “He roams in cycling tights accompanied by four bodyguards, rides his bicycle throughout the day among citizens. That is not how a governor should behave.”
Mr. Alp requested the Interior Ministry to remove Mr. Cicekli from office.
Consequently, when Mr. Cicekli was dismissed last week and succeeded by district governor Omer Hilmi Yamli of Şehitkamil in Gaziantep province, many on social media and in Turkish outlets highlighted the controversy over his athletic wear as the alleged cause of his removal.
Mr. Cicekli responded promptly to BirGün, an Istanbul newspaper: “I am a sailor, a rower, and a cyclist, and I strive to pursue these activities at a professional level. The attire I wear is sportswear for my morning workouts; aside from that, we do not wear it during regular work hours on weekdays.”
Thousands of his supporters signed a petition calling for his reinstatement. As he departed the governor’s office after a brief ceremony, his car was followed by several cyclists, according to a video published by the Turkish outlet Cumhuriyet.
Neither Mr. Cicekli nor President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded to emails seeking comment on Friday.
Nevertheless, there are likely additional factors beyond the athletic‑wear criticism, said Asli Peker, acting director of the International Relations Program at New York University and a regional expert. She noted that longstanding political tensions and complaints surrounded Mr. Cicekli.
For example, the Turkish newspaper Sözcü reported that an ongoing investigation into a 2022 construction deal in Karaman province—where Mr. Cicekli served as governor—could be a more significant factor.
“In my view, the bicycle shorts sparked public controversy, but they may not be the underlying cause of the governor’s dismissal,” Dr. Peker said.
“It is difficult to know the exact cause for certain, but I would be surprised if the shorts were the sole reason,” she added.
Regardless of the reasons, Mr. Cicekli continues to defend his athletic pursuits. He told BirGün: “I have rowed in Istanbul, sailed in the Marmara and Aegean Seas, and cycled in Karaburun and Ankara. What will I do next? I will do even more sports.”
