For many, it was not a shocking move but for others, it was, however, the hottest gist in Nigeria’s political circle right now is that of Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode formally dumping the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
FFK, as he is widely known, served as the country’s Minister of Aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and was a staunch member of the PDP before his latest defection. What is more surprising, however, is the fact that Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode had been one of the strongest critics of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Following his defection, the former minister met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Aso Villa in the company of the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
Speaking to correspondents in the State House after presenting FFK to Mr President, Buni said the President was happy with the defection of the former minister as he described it as a welcome development. He said:
“We are here to present our newest member of the party, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode to the President and leader of the party. He is the newest member of APC and we just received him in appreciation and understanding of the President’s vision and magnanimity.
“The President received him very well. The President is a leader who shares his vision and looks toward greater Nigeria, so he received him very well and commended his courage.”
Revealing why he left the opposition party, Mr. Femi said it was an instruction from God. He said his decision was solely based on the directions of the Spirit of God who has instructed him to join the APC for the unity and stability of the country.
“The point is that I felt it was time to do the right thing, to put Nigeria first and appreciate the efforts that have been made, particularly in the last couple of years in terms of security; fighting insurgency and terrorism.
“It is not always negative and when the time is right, we change direction to join forces and join hands to move the country forward.
“Doing this doesn’t mean we are enemies to anybody. Even if we are in another party, the PDP or any other party or group, we can still work together across party, regional, ethnic or religious lines.”
He has also revealed that the APC he is joining today is very much different than the one he has criticized in the past. Talking to Channels TV, he said the current set-up of the APC is “forward-thinking, and accommodating.”
He also denied claims that he defected to the APC for financial reasons.
“I find that very insulting whether it is coming from your or my critics, I am not the first person that would decamp to the APC, have you asked others this same question?”
Reacting to the defection, Engr. Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State has responded to claims that the former Minister of Aviation was instrumental in his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor labeled the claim ‘a lie from the pit of hell’ and called FFK a liar for insinuating such. Speaking on Channels TV Sunrise Daily, Umahi said:
“For someone to come and say that a whole Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, that he was instrumental to my movement from PDP to APC is an insult on my person, and with all due respect, he has to withdraw that statement.
“He remains my friend and a good one for that matter, but he played no role in my movement and I am sure he didn’t play any role in the movement of the rest of us.”
In other news, Senator Shehu Sani has officially defected from the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the move had been in the pipelines for a while now and he recently invited all the 23 local government chairmen of the PDP in Kaduna State to his residence where he met then to discuss his transition and the 2023 general elections.
Peter Obi decries Demolition of brother’s property in Lagos – ‘Nigeria is lawless’
Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as “coordinated lawlessness” after a property owned by his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any formal notice or legal order.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, Obi revealed that his brother arrived at the company’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, only to find demolition underway.
He said security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on a court judgment, yet failed to produce any legal documents or demolition order.
“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi queried, disclosing that the judgment cited was allegedly against “unknown persons and squatters,” despite the property being a registered company site for over 15 years.
Obi said he rushed from Abuja to Lagos upon receiving a distress call, only to be shocked by what he witnessed during the demolition.
He said contractors on-site could not identify who sent them, and no official from any government agency appeared to clarify the situation.
“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi stated, adding that two men who later appeared only asked him to report to a police station, also without any court backing.
Drawing broader implications, Obi said the experience reflects what ordinary Nigerians endure and explains why foreign investors are reluctant to do business in the country.
“Someone told me he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic but won’t touch Nigeria. His reason was clear: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country,’” Obi noted.
I listen to those who insult me and learn governance lessons from them – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu said he has grown a thick skin against insults from his critics and political enemies to the point that he now learns governance lessons from them.
Tinubu disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
The meeting was part of activities scheduled for the President’s visit in the wake of recent killings in the state. Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other dignitaries, including North Central governors, received the President.
“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” the President said.
Over 200 residents of the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state were killed when assailants suspected to be herders invaded on Friday, June 13, 2025.
The unfortunate incident attracted both nationwide and foreign attention, with international media outlets reporting it. Following the outrage, Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to console the surviving victims of the killings.
Addressing the Governor, the President said, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”
Tinubu also urged leaders from across the region to work together as part of a non-kinetic approach to solving the hydra-headed insecurity situation.
“We cannot do without another.
“I will want us to create a leadership committee now to meet in Abuja to fashion out a strategy for lasting peace. And I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.
Tinubu also charged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the Benue killings, questioning the police on why no suspects have been arrested since the incident.
Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?” the displeased President asked.
“I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”
“I give you the assurance that we will find peace and convert this tragedy to prosperity.”
Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings
Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.
In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.
You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.
Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.
After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”
His statement read in part,
“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”
Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.
Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.
Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.
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