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Tag: fani-kayode

  • I didn’t tell anyone I’ll remain in PDP forever – Fani-Kayode

    I didn’t tell anyone I’ll remain in PDP forever – Fani-Kayode

    Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, has said that he never at any point told anyone he was going to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, forever.

    The PDP chieftain also said that he did not tell anyone that he was decamping to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

    In a lengthy response he wrote at the weekend on his rumoured plan to dump the PDP, the politician said that those criticising without hearing from him “need mental health checks and medical attention!”

    Fani-Kayode said he was amazed that some people were saying that he will not be welcome in the APC even when he has “not publicly expressed a desire to join.”

    “The joker that claimed I was rejected by the APC needs to tell me where and when I applied to join them and what my registration number was!” He said.

    “Did I tell you I am leaving PDP for APC? Or did I tell anyone that I will stay in PDP forever no matter what happens or no matter what they do to me or to the country?”

    The former Minister said that it would be clear to the world when he chooses to make a move, asking critics to “hold your hate fire till we get to that bridge.”

    “Yet know this: I owe no-one any explanation for what I will do or will not do tomorrow, I will gladly live with the consequences of my actions,” he added.

    Fani Kayode went on to declare that ahead of 2023 general elections, there will be realignments and new alliances

    “I do not know what the details are yet but, before 2023, there WILL be many realignments and new alliances. Both parties will see many shifts and many individuals will change sides,” he said.

  • Herders crisis: Fani-Kayode visits Sunday Igboho, appreciates him for defending Yorubaland

    Herders crisis: Fani-Kayode visits Sunday Igboho, appreciates him for defending Yorubaland

    A former minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode on Thursday visited popular Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho at his Soka, Ibadan residence.

    However, the PDP chieftain said the visit was to appreciate Igboho for defending the Yoruba nation against killer herdsmen.

    Fani-Kayode, who had a closed-door meeting with Sunday Igboho for more than three hours, declared that Igboho is not against any particular tribe, ethnic or people.

    The former Minister described Igboho as a freedom fighter. He added that the whole of the Yoruba nation is solidly behind him and his mission to rid the South West of killer herdsmen.

    He said: “My purpose is to come and stand side by side, shoulder by shoulder with someone I have immense respect for.

    “He has shown the world and most importantly, he has shown Yoruba people that we are not cowards, we are not people who can be pushed around, we are not people who can be pillaged, killed and raped, and those that perpetrate this crime feels at ease in our land.

    “So, I have come to express my appreciation and solidarity with somebody that I believe has done the right thing without violating any laws in this country because that is very important. I don’t believe he has done that.

    “I believe it is right and proper for every Yoruba leader to show appreciation for the lives he has saved and for his pursuits of people that have been committing crimes, that is the first purpose.

    “The second purpose is also to let him also let him know that his message of peace and unity, that is to say, he has nothing Fulani people but he has everything against criminals that comes to our forest in this part of the country to come and kill, those are his enemies, those are the people that are our collective enemies and that is what he is fighting against and there is nothing unlawful in that.”

    Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode also reacted to Governor Bala Mohammed’s claims that herdsmen carry AK-47 rifles to protect themselves and their cows.

    According to the former minister, the same privilege should also be extended to farmers and communities hosting herders.

    He however stressed that the best way to resolve the security challenges posed by the herders/ farmers crisis would be for the government to rise up to its duties.

    Fani-Kayode said “A good friend of mine, the Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, we served together as ministers, he said a few days ago that herdsmen should be given the right to carry AK47.

    “Now, I disagree with that but that was his opinion and like I told him, he is entitled to his opinions and he can voice it.

    “If you go by that principle, then it makes absolute sense that if Fulanis are allowed to carry AK-47 to defend their cows and their lives if they feel threatened, then it is also logical for members of the local communities, farmers and each and every one of us should also have that right to defend ourselves against killer herdsmen and against those that are coming to kill us and rape our women.

    “So, I am totally and completely behind that and I will like that very much. Why not? We are responsible and decent people, the Americans have that right, it is enshrined in their constitution and if it is also that we could carry arms, perhaps we won’t have the kind of atrocities that are being committed throughout the country and not just throughout the South, even in the North itself, I must tell you, it is unbelievable what is going in terms of these killers killing members of the local population.

    “Perhaps that is one way to solve the problem but the best way is for the government itself to rise up and do something about it. That is what we are paying them for, that is what they are there to do, let’s hope they do it and so we don’t have to do it ourselves.”

    Fani-Kayode also aligned with the call of the Minister of Defence on the people to defend themselves against banditry and killings saying the likes of Sunday Igboho have proved that the people can stand up for themselves.

    Reacting to Fani-Kayode’s visit, Sunday Igboho said: “I don’t have anything to say, for now, my Uncle (Fani-Kayode) has said everything for me.

    “What we want in Yorubaland is peace. We don’t want banditry, we don’t want herdsmen to continue to kill our people, we want our people to be free.

    “My message to my people in Yorubaland is that they must try to defend themselves. Don’t let anyone come to your farm or your home to come and kill you, you must try to defend yourself which was what the minister said too.”

  • Why Fani-Kayode’s ‘defection’ to APC was rejected – Progressive Governors DG

    Why Fani-Kayode’s ‘defection’ to APC was rejected – Progressive Governors DG

    The Director General of the Progressive Governor’s Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh. Lukman has said the rejection of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from defecting to the party despite meeting with the party leadership is an attestation of the strong internal democratic culture of the party.

    In a statement titled “APC, and the Question of Values” on Friday in Abuja on Friday, Lukman said the fact that members were able to reject Fani-Kayode’s attempt to join the party meant the APC has values.

    Lukman who is a Chieftain of the ruling party commended the internal democratic credentials of the ruling party, which he said is lacking in the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Again, we are as a party debating the issue of who should join our party or not represent the qualitative difference between the APC and PDP. If it were PDP, once the National Chairman of the party act on a matter and backed by a serving governor, members can only grumble.

    “I am proud to have my voice guaranteed and affirmed by my leaders in APC. As an employee of Governors, it has been a privileged opportunity to speak out openly on matters within the purview of leadership initiative. Rather than my leaders, including our Governors, relating to me as a subordinate who should only take instructions, they recognise and respect my views as a loyal member of the party.”

    He further said, “The issue of Mr Fani-Kayode’s drifted attempt to join the APC is a clear instance of attempts to manipulate some of our leaders into accepting membership of someone who ought not to have been considered a member of our party. If that was the case in the past, it is better late than never to correct such a mistake.

    “As party members, we were able to rise up to the challenge of engaging our leaders. Fortunately, we are able to gain the respect of our leaders and surely, moving forward, issues of who qualifies to be a member of our party will be clarified unambiguously. Maybe this could challenge the PDP and other parties in Nigeria to begin to address issues related to their failings.”

  • 2023: Fani-Kayode meets GEJ, silent on alleged plan to dump PDP for APC

    2023: Fani-Kayode meets GEJ, silent on alleged plan to dump PDP for APC

    After his controversial meetings with leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, days before, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani- Kayode, on Tuesday evening also met with former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former minister met with Jonathan at his Abuja home on Tuesday evening amidst rumour that he may have concluded plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party for APC following his series of meeting with leaders of the ruling party in the past few days.

    Fani-Kayode served former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s first President after the country return to democracy in 1999 as Special Assistant on Public Affairs.
    Also, the PDP government in 2006 appointed him as the Minister of Culture and Tourism.

    He was later redeployed to the Aviation Ministry as the minister the same year after a minor cabinet reshuffle.

    But he had dumped PDP to join the yet to be registered APC in 2014.

    “I had a meeting with Gov. Kayode Fayemi afterwards and I have just publicly and formally declared for the APC,” the former minister said. “For me this is a great and historic day. Goodbye forever PDP,” he said.

    But despite his ‘goodbye forever PDP’ assertion, he returned to PDP just before 2015 general election after he also met with former President Jonathan.

    He said his return to PDP, the he said then, followed his realization that Jonathan was a responsible leader.

    PDP rewarded him with appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity of 2015 Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign organization.

    With Jonathan failing to get re-elected as President, Fani-Kayode has emerged as a trenchant critic of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the APC government since 2015

    Despite his history of ‘political instability’ Nigerians were nevertheless surprised when he met with Chairman, Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee Gov. Mai Mala Buni and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello at a Guest House in Abuja on Sunday.

    The closed-door meeting, which lasted for about an hour, was brokered by Bello, who is also chairman of the party’s Mobilisation and Sensitisation Committee for ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise.

    Fani-Kayode had a day before met with Bello in his Wuse Zone 6 residence in Abuja before he led the former Minister to the party Chairman’s Guest House.

    He had also met with the APC Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Smart Adeyemi, a day before.

    The former minister’s mostly anti Buhari/APC supporters and fans had criticized him over his meeting with officials of the ruling party.

    Some top members of APC had also expressed their reservations about the prospect of Fani-Kayode’s return to their party.

    Defending his meeting with the APC leaders, the former minister had in a statement posted on his Facebook page said it was about, “state of the nation, pressing national issues, party politics and the way forward. He also criticized those condemning the meeting

  • ‘Why Buhari won’t accept Fani-Kayode in APC’

    ‘Why Buhari won’t accept Fani-Kayode in APC’

    The Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman, said President Muhammadu Buhari will not accept the admission of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, into All Progressives Congress.

    Lukman state this while reacting to the circulation of pictures of a meeting between the APC National Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; and Fani-Kayode amidst speculations that the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain was being encouraged to join the APC.

    Lukman described the speculations as disturbing, adding that such consideration will be stretching the trust of APC members beyond acceptable limits.

    The PGF DG made his position known in a statement titled, ‘APC: Reminder about Our Values,’ released to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    Lukman said, “The speculation is that Mr. Fani-Kayode is on his way to joining the APC. The verdict in most media platforms is quite disturbing, but justifiably so if the news about Mr. Fani-Kayode joining the APC is true.

    “That our leaders will be meeting with Mr. Fani-Kayode in such a compromising way, suggesting that he may be on his way to joining our party, clearly indicates that either those of us saddled with the responsibility of advising them have failed or we have been completely cut off.

    “How can a person who just few days, if not few hours, ago wrote to one of our leaders and derogatorily and condescendingly condemned his political prospects of emerging as the Presidential candidate of our party, be given such a high-level reception?

    “Assuming the open letter to our National Leader, which is all over our media at the time of such reception, wasn’t offensive, what of the open letter he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari last year?

    “Besides the open letters, what abusive language has he not used against our party and our leaders? Most of these are unprintable.

    “Most Nigerians, both APC members and non-APC members would appear to be in agreement that any association between APC and its leadership with Mr. Fani-Kayode is indicative of problem of values.

    “Without being academic in any way, the issue of values is basically about the qualities of people and the vision they hold.

    “What kind of people are we aspiring to attract into our party? Do we want to reduce our party into one in which everybody is welcome?

    “Can we for instance in any way or form contemplate having an Nnamdi Kanu or Abubakar Shekau as a member?

    “If that were to be the case, why don’t we just have INEC register IPOB and Boko Haram as political parties and allow them to field candidates for elections?

    “At this rate, one day, Nigerians will just wake and see some of our leaders presenting Mr. Fani-Kayode to President Buhari as a new member of our party.

    “Although we can confidently argue that President Buhari will not approve such deranged possibility, it is important to caution that such consideration will be stretching the trust of party members beyond acceptable limits.”

    The PGF is the umbrella body of all governors elected on the platform of the APC.

  • Amidst fresh defection reports, Fani-Kayode visits two APC governors in Abuja [Photos]

    Amidst fresh defection reports, Fani-Kayode visits two APC governors in Abuja [Photos]

    A former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Fani-Kayode, may be on his way back to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) six years after dumping the party for the PDP.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Fani-Kayode, a strong critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party, left APC for PDP on June 2, 2014, barely a year to the general elections which brought Buhari and APC to power.

    Announcing his resignation from APC in 2014, the former Minister said, “I wish to inform the general public that as at today, 2nd June 2014, I have left the APC and gone back to the PDP. I wish the APC well in all their endeavours, but as at today, we have parted ways forever and my spirit has left them.”

    However, there seems to be a new development when Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Monday received Fani-Kayode at his Abuja residence, appealing to Nigerians to practice politics without bitterness.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, quoted Bello in a statement as saying that embracing politics without bitterness would boost nation building and promote national integration.

    Bello described Fani Kayode’s visit as a welcome development, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria remained an indivisible entity.

    The governor said also that stakeholders must ensure that the fight against insecurity was fought without ethnic and regional biases.

    “The support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in fighting insecurity and poverty in the country must be holistic, irrespective of party differences.”

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the hope of Nigeria and it is important for everyone to support Buhari’s administration for the development of Nigeria as a country.

    Also speaking, Fani-Kayode described Bello as a phenomenal leader and bridge builder, saying that he had a fruitful discussion with the governor.

    “It was an honour to have spent quality time with the governor — my friend and brother.

    “We had a frank, candid, fruitful and productive discussion on the way forward for our country.

    “This is a clear case of politics without bitterness and of building bridges. This is a time that we as Nigerians must all come together as one to save our country,” Fani-Kayode said.

    The governor and the former minister also visited Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, who is also the Caretaker Chairman of the APC.

  • Fani-Kayode begs Ooni to forgive Sunday Igboho over ‘Fulani slave’ comment

    Fani-Kayode begs Ooni to forgive Sunday Igboho over ‘Fulani slave’ comment

    Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation and critic of Buhari led administration has begged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to forgive Oduduwa Republic agitator and renowed political thug, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho for verbally attacking the monarch.

    TheNewsGuru had earlier reported that Igboho, slammed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for allegedly failing to represent the Yoruba nation well during his recent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on killer herdsmen in the South West.

    Reacting to the development via his official Twitter account on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode said, “I just spoke with Sunday Igboho and he confirmed to me that what he said about our revered Ooni of Ife was said in the heat of the moment.

    “He expressed his regrets and I was relieved to hear that. To err is human and to forgive is divine. I appeal to Kabiyesi to forgive him.

    “For the record let me state clearly and categorically that no Ooni of Ife, whether living or dead, has ever been a slave of the Fulani and neither will they ever be.

    “I can also confirm that my friend and brother Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo state, is a deeply courageous individual who would never bow before anyone let alone be a slave to the Fulani.

    “We in the South-West must remain united in our quest for liberty and justice and in the face of the common enemy and we must move forward as one.

    “No one can dispute the fact that Sunday has fought hard and done well. He has won the respect of all and sundry in Yorubaland and he has inspired millions of our people all over the world. Let us forgive him for this slip and continue to support and pray for him.”

  • Nigerians knock Fani –Kayode as he labels Kamala, ‘Jezebel’

    Nigerians knock Fani –Kayode as he labels Kamala, ‘Jezebel’

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday, articulated his displeasure again over the result of the United States presidential election when he took to Twitter to tag US vice-president-elect, Kamala Harris, as ‘Jezebel’.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Fani-Kayode, a staunch supporter of incumbent President Donald Trump who lost the election to Democrat Joe Biden, said it was not over yet for the Republican candidate until the Supreme Court decided on the election which major western media said Biden won last Saturday.

    Fani-Kayode, praised Russian President, Vladimir Putin, for waiting for the official results before applauding the winner of the intensely contested poll.

    Harris, who is the first vice-president-elect in the history of America, has been commended locally and globally by political figures including former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who said she has the Nigerian DNA.

    But the former minister tweeted on Monday, alleging, “I know Jezebel when I see her. Look into Kamala’s eyes. Kaballa + Kundalini = Kamala. Biden is a puppet and a smokescreen. A Biden presidency is a Kamala Presidency. A Kamala Presidency is satan’s Presidency. May God deliver. #CountEveryLegalVote”

    Fani-Kayode’s tag on Harris as Jezebel, a controversial biblical character and wife of King Ahab, who ruled the kingdom of Israel, drew the anger of Nigerians on Twitter who criticized the ex-minister.

    @WahabGrace wrote, “Why are you so bittered about @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris win? Must @realDonaldTrump win? You are taking this too personal.”

    @__adddyyy tweeted, “You probably said same about your ex-wives. Leave this one out. Leave her eyes alone.”

    @SalaamYusuff1 stated, “Were you promised appointment if @realDonaldTrump returns or he’s the one bankrolling you?”

    @renzeldabawse, replied, “I m highly disappointed in you sir….this is totally uncalled for.”

    @Billzee2010 said, “A serial divorcee has now become a seer and prophet. God help us in this country.”

    @the_realabolade wrote, “It doesn’t matter if one is a graduate of Cambridge, foolishness knows no place of institution. So you now know Jezebel by looking into her eyes, referring to Kamala. This man here can’t take care of his household but knows who Jezebel is.”

    @darlwright77 tweeted, “So disrespectful to call someone’s mother and wife a Jezebel! No matter our political inclination, there are certain words or statement that shouldn’t be used to address women mostly responsible mothers!”

     

     

  • JUST IN: IGP orders immediate withdrawal of policemen attached to Babachir Lawal, Fani-Kayode, Afikuyomi, Christ Embassy, 46 other VIPs, organisations

    JUST IN: IGP orders immediate withdrawal of policemen attached to Babachir Lawal, Fani-Kayode, Afikuyomi, Christ Embassy, 46 other VIPs, organisations

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has again directed that all policemen attached as personal security to notable personalities and organizations, be withdrawn with immediate effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the IGP had on October 21, 2020 in a wireless message, ordered that all policemen serving such purposes be recalled as part of efforts to reorganise and boost internal security nationwide.

    Those exempted from the order were those attached to Government Houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives.

    However, despite the order then, it appeared policemen went on protecting those they were not authorised to.

    A letter with reference number CB: 4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.116/32 dated November 4, 2020 and addressed to Commissioners of Police across the country, Police Mobile Force and the Special Protection Unit, listed names and organisations, whose police security should be withdrawn.

    According to the letter endorsed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, DCP Idowu Owohunwa the withdrawal was with immediate effect.

    Some of the names mentioned include Emeka Offor, Femi Fani-Kayode, Amen Rochas, Magnus Abe, Babachir Lawal, Lado Yakubu, Yuguda Bashir, Uche Chukwu, Boroface Ajayi, Mutiu Nicholas, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Edozie Madu, David Adesanya and Chris Giwa, among others.

    Organizations mentioned include Christ Embassy, Oriental Energy Resources, ECWA Academy, and Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, among others.

    The letter partly reads, “The attention of the IGP has been drawn to the fact that the police personnel attached to the corporate bodies and personalities are yet to be withdrawn despite extant directives to that effect.

    “In line with the subsisting order, the IG directs that you withdraw all the PMF, SPU, CTU, or conventional police operations attached to the affected companies or individuals in any of their locations across the country with immediate effect.”

    The IGP directed the senior officers in receipt not the memo, to submit a report confirming compliance not later than November 10, 2020.

  • Fani-Kayode blasts Tinubu for saying Lekki protesters have questions to answer

    Fani-Kayode blasts Tinubu for saying Lekki protesters have questions to answer

    The former minister said it was disappointing that Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State, would seek to shift the blame on the victim rather than the attackers.

    He wrote, “Sadly, instead of exhibiting any remorse or displaying any regret for this abominable atrocity, with a sheepish smile and a sneering and jocular tone, you had the sheer nerve and effrontery to say nothing other than that you are still the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban?

    “Yet, what was even worse than this and what shocked and astounded all right-thinking people all the more was that you had the temerity to go on even further to say that the ‘casualties at the Lekki shooting have some questions to answer!’

    “You then asked, ‘how are they there?’ “how long were they there?’ And “what kind of characters were they?”

    “How cruel can you be? Not a word of condolence or expression of commiseration to the families of the dead but instead you offered stupid questions and baseless accusations against their wards and children.”

    Fani-Kayode recalled that when the daughter of Afenifere chieftain, Reuben Fasoranti, was killed last year, rather than condemn the alleged perpetrators, Tinubu decided to defend herdsmen who had been accused of perpetrating the act.

    He said he regretted supporting Tinubu in the past.

    The former minister described Tinubu as one blinded by ambition and was ready to compromise anything to get it.

    Fani-Kayode wrote, “You only harbour love, which borders on obsession, for your vain and lofty ambition to rule Nigeria and trust me when I tell you that this will never happen.”