Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has publicly stated that he and former presidential aide Reno Omokri formally retracted their past harsh criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu several years ago. This revelation comes amid ongoing political discourse and legal proceedings involving activist Omoyele Sowore.
Denial of Allegations Regarding Funso Williams
Fani-Kayode strongly denied ever accusing President Tinubu of involvement in the death of former Lagos State governorship candidate, Chief Funso Williams, in 2003. He described such claims as completely false and misleading.
"That allegation is untrue. I never said that President Tinubu killed Funso Williams," Fani-Kayode emphasized.
He clarified that his original statement during that period was, "I am not Funso Williams; I cannot be killed like a chicken," which he acknowledged was inappropriate and potentially misunderstood. Fani-Kayode confirmed that he has since withdrawn this remark.
Context of 2015 Presidential Campaign
The former minister explained that the controversial comments were made during the highly charged 2015 presidential election campaign. At that time, Fani-Kayode served as Director of Media and Publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
"Election campaigns are usually heated, and strong words are sometimes used. That is not peculiar to Nigeria," he noted, highlighting the intense political rivalry characteristic of election periods.
Political Transition and Support for Tinubu
Fani-Kayode disclosed his political journey from critic to supporter of President Tinubu. He left the PDP in 2020 and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021, subsequently becoming a strong advocate for Tinubu's presidency.
During the 2023 presidential campaign, Fani-Kayode served as Director of New Media and Special Operations in Tinubu's campaign organisation, leading a team of approximately 250 people and contributing significantly to the electoral victory. Since Tinubu assumed office, he has continued to publicly defend and support the administration's policies and decisions.
Omokri's Similar Retraction
Fani-Kayode added that Reno Omokri, who opposed Tinubu's candidacy during the 2023 elections, has also retracted his criticisms following the president's victory. According to Fani-Kayode, Omokri now supports Tinubu's policies and administration.
Both Fani-Kayode and Omokri are among the recent ambassadorial nominees appointed by President Tinubu, a development that has sparked considerable debate on social media platforms due to their historical opposition to the president and ruling party.
Response to Sowore's Legal Challenges
Fani-Kayode addressed attempts to link himself or Omokri to activist Omoyele Sowore's legal challenges, describing such connections as "absurd and misleading." He urged Sowore to either withdraw his statements about the president or be prepared to defend them properly in court.
Praise for Presidential Tolerance
Concluding his remarks, Fani-Kayode praised President Tinubu for demonstrating magnanimity and political tolerance. He noted that the president has shown remarkable openness by welcoming former critics into his political fold, creating an inclusive governance environment.
This development highlights the evolving nature of political alliances in Nigeria's dynamic landscape, where past adversaries can transform into present-day supporters through dialogue and reconciliation.
