Following the shock defection of the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode from the nation’s opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), there have been several reactions to the move.
Even though defections and cross-carpeting are a regular feature of the Nigerian political sphere (and especially for FFK himself who has changed political parties at different times in his political career), most Nigerians are still surprised. This is particularly because he was one of the strongest voices in the opposition and judging from his past comments on the APC, no one thought it would be a possibility.
The former PDP stalwart has previously vowed that he would never join the APC and even said he would prefer to die than to join the ruling party.
Babafemi Ojudu, who is the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, describes the day Femi Fani-Kayode joined the APC as “the saddest day in his political career” in a post he posted on his Facebook account.
Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi labeled the former Aviation Minister as the “Judas of Oduduwa.” He said in a Facebook post:
“I have for long, neglected the rantings of the Judas of Oduduwa attacking me knowing fully well that he is fake and a traitor. Time has now caught up with him and thanks to Allah, all his vituperations are cast in the dustbin of merciless history. It is him now, one wonders which of the seven circles of hell this duper will settle if he doesn’t repent.”
FFK Defection
Nigeria’s opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come to terms with the new development with the defection of FFK and has wished him well in his future aspirations with the APC. According to the DAILY INDEPENDENT, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said “The party wishes him the best in his future vocation.”
Still on the reactions generated by the move, aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has berated the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the reception accorded Mr. Kayode.
Taking to his Facebook page, Joe Igbokwe, a former spokesperson of the APC in Lagos, slammed the ruling party for giving a political “charlatan and prostitute” like Fani-Kayode a red carpet welcome.
“Despite all my push for APC, Abuja has not given me a phone talk less of inviting me for coffee with the C-in-C. But here is a political charlatan and prostitute being given a red carpet in the seat of power, Abuja,”
On his part, Reno Omokri accused FFK of being a Judas who betrayed Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho for “30 pieces of silver”. Mr. Omokri wrote on Instagram:
FFK Defection
“You say you are a friend of Sunday Igboho. You called him your brother. You called Nnamdi Kanu your “friend and brother” and one of the most courageous persons you know. You see what this demon in human flesh is doing to these freedom fighters, yet you do this?
“It makes me suspicious. How can these two people who were close to you and who confided in you, end up in Buhari’s trap, and then you join his party? This looks like 30 pieces of silver! At this point, I would very much hate to be your friend and brother.”
Precious Chikwendu, the estranged wife of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, was not left out as she has taken to her Instastories to shade her ex-husband for joining the All Progressive Congress (APC). The post read:
“My father always told me the chi nwam “ezigbo afa ka ego” A good name is better than riches. Truly it is. Ifele adighi eme onye ori obu umu nna ya ka ona eme.” (A thief is not always as ashamed as his relatives).
One Half Of The Estranged Duo P-Square Declares Nov 30 as his new birthday
Mr P has officially moved his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30, adding a new layer to the ongoing P-Square family feud. What began as a social media declaration has now been formalised. A few hours after announcing his intention to change his birthday date, Peter Okoye, known professionally as Mr P, has issued an open letter confirming that November 18, the date he has shared with his twin brother Paul Okoye since birth in 1981, is no longer his day of celebration.
“Dear Family, Friends, and Fans,” the post read. “I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day. My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”
The message is brief, but its implications are quite clear. November 18 has long been one of the last remaining public symbols of a shared identity between two brothers whose professional and personal relationship has deteriorated sharply over the past several years.
By formally reassigning the date, Peter is drawing a line that goes beyond creative differences or business disputes.
The reaction from Nigerians online has been largely sceptical.
Many have questioned the necessity of the gesture, with a significant number describing it as petty and unnecessary given the more substantive issues that have defined the brothers’ current estrangement.
The consensus among critics is that changing a birthday date does little to resolve any of the actual grievances and serves mainly as a public statement of severance.
The feud between Peter and Paul Okoye has now spanned multiple years, two official splits, a brief reunion, and a growing list of public accusations on both sides. November 30 is still months away. To see if the gesture will land as true liberation or just pettiness may depend entirely on where things stand by then.
I Took Over From Myself’: Tinubu’s Claims that He and Buhari Are ‘One’
President Bola Tinubu addressed supporters on Wednesday night in a video that was equal parts pep talk and provocation, but it was one particular line that cut through everything else and set social media alight.
Speaking to the leadership and coordinators of his Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu pushed back against the criticism that his administration inherited and worsened an already broken economy.
His defence took an unexpected turn. “This economy, I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself,” he said. “The late Buhari is me, he was a partner, if I took over from him, is that not from myself? So, it’s wrong? Fine. Live with it, correct it, move on.
Nigerians online did not move on, at least not immediately. The comment, which appeared to collapse the distinction between his administration and Muhammadu Buhari’s, drew a flood of reactions ranging from genuine bewilderment to sharp mockery.
For critics who have spent two years arguing that Tinubu’s government is a continuation of the same policies that drove Nigeria into economic hardship, the president had essentially handed them their argument in his own words.
The broader address, shared to his official page at 10:38 pm alongside a roughly ten-minute video, was deliberately combative.
Tinubu took aim at the opposition, dismissing the recently held ADC convention as “a street convention” and its energy as mere “rascality.”
He warned that his government would not yield to noise or disobedience of court orders, while also promising supporters that standing with him would not be a decision they would regret.
At one point, he told the ambassadors, “That is why we have told you to renew their hope”, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that for those unwilling to embrace the hope on offer, they would simply provide “eyeglasses.” It was the kind of line that plays well in a room full of loyalists and poorly everywhere else.
The overall message he tried to convey was that he would not be retreating, would not be apologising, and was not particularly interested in critics.
S.A Opposition leader Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison over gun incident
A South African court has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after finding him guilty of illegally firing a rifle during a political rally, a ruling that could shake the country’s opposition politics.
Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on several firearm-related charges linked to a 2018 party rally in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, where he was filmed firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air in front of thousands of supporters.
The court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment, offences that prosecutors argued posed a serious public safety risk.
During sentencing, the magistrate emphasised that public figures must respect the law and warned that celebratory gunfire could endanger lives. Prosecutors had pushed for a maximum 15-year sentence, arguing that leniency would set a dangerous precedent given Malema’s influence as a national political figure.
Malema’s legal team, however, argued that the act was symbolic and caused no harm, urging the court to impose a fine instead of prison time.
The outspoken politician has already vowed to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, insisting the case is politically motivated. If the sentence is upheld, the ruling could have major political consequences. Under South African law, a prison sentence exceeding 12 months without the option of a fine can disqualify a lawmaker from holding a parliamentary seat, potentially forcing Malema out of the National Assembly.
Malema, a former youth leader of the African National Congress before founding the EFF in 2013, has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most controversial political figures. His party campaigns for radical economic reforms, including land redistribution without compensation and nationalisation of key industries.
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