Femi Fani-Kayode has come out to set the record straight regarding his past relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, specifically addressing claims made by Omoyele Sowore. The former Minister clarified that both he and Reno Omokri moved past their previous criticisms of the President years ago, describing attempts to use their old statements to justify current legal issues as completely out of touch with reality.
The controversy stems from allegations that Sowore referenced a decade-old comment to bolster his defense in an ongoing criminal defamation case. Fani-Kayode categorically denied ever accusing the President of being involved in the 2003 death of Chief Funso Williams. Fani-Kayode explained that his actual words from 2015 were simply a personal declaration that he would not be easily intimidated or harmed. He noted that even those remarks were retracted long ago after he realized they were open to misinterpretation.
Reflecting on the nature of Nigerian politics, the former Minister noted that the heat of election cycles often produces harsh rhetoric. He pointed out that his most vocal criticisms occurred back in 2015 while he was leading the media team for the PDP’s presidential campaign. However, he emphasized that his political journey saw him join the APC in 2021, eventually leading a major directorate that helped secure President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 elections.
Fani-Kayode also touched on the shift in Reno Omokri’s stance. While Omokri was a firm opponent during the last election, he has since withdrawn his previous criticisms and now supports the current administration’s policies. Fani-Kayode urged Sowore to stop trying to link them to his legal battles, suggesting that the activist should either retract his statements or prepare to face the consequences in court.
The discussion comes at a time when both Fani-Kayode and Omokri have been named as ambassadorial nominees, a move that has sparked significant conversation on social media given their history as former critics. Fani-Kayode praised the President’s magnanimity, noting that Tinubu has shown a rare level of tolerance by opening his doors to those who once stood against him.
In his view, his consistent defense of the administration over the past few years proves that there is no lingering animosity. He maintains that the evolution from critic to supporter is a standard part of political life and should not be used as a shield for others facing legal scrutiny today.
