Femi Fani-Kayode, the former Minister of Aviation, has asserted that he and former presidential aide Reno Omokri have withdrawn their earlier severe criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This statement aims to refute any connections to a defamation lawsuit concerning activist Omoyele Sowore.
Fani-Kayode’s clarification arises after Sowore referenced statements allegedly made by him concerning Tinubu over ten years ago, attempting to bolster remarks currently involved in a criminal defamation case.
He accused Sowore of fabricating claims, notably insinuating that he had charged Tinubu with being accountable for the death of former Lagos gubernatorial candidate, Chief Funso Williams, in 2003.
“That allegation is false. I never stated that President Tinubu was responsible for Funso Williams' death,” Fani-Kayode affirmed.
He elaborated that a statement he made eleven years prior was, “I am not Funso Williams; I cannot be killed like a chicken.” He added that the remark has since been retracted, acknowledging its inappropriate nature and potential for misunderstanding.
Fani-Kayode explained that these comments were articulated during the 2015 presidential campaign when he was the Director of Media and Publicity for the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He acknowledged that aggressive political rivalries during campaigns often lead to harsh exchanges, a phenomenon he described as typical in political races globally.
The former minister stated that he transitioned from the PDP in 2020 to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021, which marked the beginning of his strong support for Tinubu.
He played a pivotal role as Director of New Media and Special Operations in Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, overseeing a directorate of about 250 individuals contributing significantly to the president’s electoral success.
Fani-Kayode further expressed his ongoing support for President Tinubu and his administration since the latter's inauguration, asserting that his actions reflect no lingering grievances against the president.
Moreover, despite previously opposing Tinubu’s bid in the 2023 elections, he mentioned that Reno Omokri has retracted his critiques post-election and is now in support of the president's initiatives.
He criticized efforts to connect him or Omokri with Sowore’s legal challenges as “ridiculous,” and urged Sowore to retract his remarks regarding the president or face court action.
Fani-Kayode concluded by commendably noting President Tinubu's generosity and tolerance, highlighting the president’s willingness to integrate former critics into his political circle.
Both Omokri and Fani-Kayode have recently been nominated for ambassadorial positions by President Tinubu, a move that has drawn considerable scrutiny online, particularly from those who recall their past criticisms of the president and the ruling party.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!