Fani-Kayode Clarifies Past Remarks on Tinubu Amid Defamation Trial
Former Minister of Aviation and APC chieftain, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has responded to activist Omoyele Sowore for attempting to use his past political statements to “exonerate himself” in an ongoing criminal defamation trial.
Fani-Kayode’s reaction follows reports that Sowore, in his legal defense, referenced comments allegedly made by the former Minister 11 years ago regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 2003 murder of Chief Funso Williams.
In a strongly worded statement, Fani-Kayode debunked the claim that he ever accused the President of killing Funso Williams. He clarified that his exact words during the heat of the 2015 campaign were: “I am not Funso Williams: I cannot be killed like a chicken.”
“I have long since retracted those words and accepted that they were not only inappropriate but misconstrued,” Fani-Kayode stated. He described Sowore’s decision to dredge up 11-year-old campaign rhetoric as a “measure of desperation.”
Read Also:
Fani-Kayode noted that his past friction with the President occurred while he served as the Director of Media and Publicity for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 campaign. However, he emphasized his transition to the APC in 2021 and his subsequent role as the Director of New Media and Special Operations for the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 campaign.
He further defended his colleague, Reno Omokri, noting that like himself, Omokri has “seen the light” and transitioned from a critic to a gallant defender of the President’s policies since the 2023 election victory.
The former Minister advised Sowore to stop dragging third parties into his legal “mess” and instead focus on proving his case in court or offering a retraction.
Fani-Kayode remarked. He added that it takes courage to admit when past comments were “wrong and totally unacceptable,” a trait he suggested Sowore should cultivate.
Fani-Kayode concluded by praising President Tinubu’s “decency and humanity” for welcoming former political opponents into his ranks. He described this magnanimity as the mark of a true leader and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the administration.
“We stand with him and shall continue to do so regardless of the words of nauseating distractions and obnoxious irritants like Omoyele Sowore,” he said.
By PRNigeria
