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).
Donald Trump Wins US Presidential Elections, defeats Kamala Harris
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election after securing the over 270 Electoral College (EC) votes required to emerge victorious.
As of this report, Trump has secured 279 EC votes, while his main challenger, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, has secured 223 votes.
Mr Trump is also ahead in the popular vote count, securing over 71 million votes to Mrs Harris’s over 66 million.
This election is the first since 2004 in which a Republican presidential candidate will secure more popular votes than a Democratic Party candidate, indicating Mr Trump’s solid performance and Mrs Harris’s sub-par performance.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Mr Trump told a jubilant crowd in Florida Wednesday morning.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Mr Trump had already won in four of the seven crucial Swing states – North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – and was ahead in the remaining three – Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona – BBC reports.
Apart from winning the presidential election, the Republican Party also took control of the US Senate for the first time in four years and maintained its hold of the House.
Several world leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, have congratulated Mr Trump on his victory.
According to President Tinubu, Mr Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership, the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, wrote in a statement.
President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States, he added.
“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens,” the Nigerian leader was quoted as saying.
Many other leaders posted their congratulatory messages on X, the social media platform whose owner, Elon Musk, was one of the main campaigners for Mr Trump.
“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine, with respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X.
“For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic,” wrote German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on X. “We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens.”
Nigerian Chief Of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja Dies At 56
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has died at the age of 56, according to a state house press statement. Lt. General Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos following an illness, as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu expressed profound sadness over the loss of a “dedicated servant of the nation” whose military career spanned over three decades.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023. His service history includes numerous leadership roles in critical security operations such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States. A distinguished alumnus of the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s in Strategic Studies, Lt. General Lagbaja was recognized for his strategic acumen.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. The president wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honors his significant contributions to the nation.
EFCC Detains Former Governor Of Delta State Ifeanyi Okowa
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have detained a former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion of the 13 percent derivation fund from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.
A source close to proceedings says that Mr Okowa was detained on Monday, 4 November, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he reported at the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators handling his matter.
The former governor allegedly failed to account for the funds and another N40 billion he allegedly claimed to have used to acquire shares in the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
Mr Okowa allegedly bought N40 billion worth of shares in one of the major banks in Nigeria, representing eight percent equity, to float the offshore LNG.
The funds were allegedly used for other purposes. The anti-graft agency is also investigating the former governor’s alleged diversion of funds to acquire estates in the nation’s capital, Abuja, and Asaba in Delta State.
He is being held at the EFCC holding facility in Port Harcourt.When contacted on Monday evening, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Mr Okowa’s detention but declined to give details.
Recent Comments