399
By Tracy Moses
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), has warned activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against dragging him into an ongoing criminal defamation case involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Fani-Kayode’s reaction follows reports that Sowore, who is currently facing trial over alleged defamatory statements against the President, cited comments made by some public figures in the past as part of his defence.
According to Fani-Kayode, he was alarmed by claims that an 11-year-old statement he made during the 2015 presidential election campaign was being referenced in connection with the case, creating the impression that he once accused President Tinubu of involvement in the death of the late Lagos politician, Chief Funso Williams.
He categorically denied the allegation, insisting that his words had been deliberately misrepresented.
“I never said that President Tinubu killed Funso Williams. What I said 11 years ago was: ‘I am not Funso Williams; I cannot be killed like a chicken.’ Those were my exact words, nothing more and nothing less,” he stated.
The former minister explained that the comment was made at the height of political campaigns when he served as Director of Media and Publicity for the Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation, noting that electioneering periods are often marked by intense rhetoric.
He added that he had since withdrawn the statement, acknowledging that it was inappropriate and capable of being misconstrued.
“It is a measure of how desperate Sowore is that he is now resurrecting statements I made 11 years ago, statements I have publicly retracted, in an attempt to fight his case in court,” Fani-Kayode said.
The criminal defamation suit against Sowore arose from comments allegedly made against President Tinubu, which were considered injurious to his reputation and are now the subject of legal proceedings.
Fani-Kayode stressed that he is not a party to the suit and has no intention of being drawn into the matter, warning Sowore to take responsibility for his own statements and their legal consequences.
“Instead of dragging us into his mess, Sowore should do the honourable thing and retract his statements or be prepared to face the consequences of his words and actions,” he warned.
He further explained that he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) six years ago and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021, after which he became a strong supporter of President Tinubu.
He disclosed that he served as Director of New Media and Special Operations in Tinubu’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation, leading a team of about 250 members.
“Morning, day and night, we spoke and fought for the President and contributed to his victory. Since he was sworn in, I have remained unwavering in my support for him and his government,” he said.
Fani-Kayode also defended former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, noting that although Omokri opposed Tinubu’s election in 2023, he later retracted his criticisms and has since publicly supported the President and his policies.
Describing the attempt to link him and Omokri to the defamation case as “absurd,” Fani-Kayode maintained that the renewed controversy was unnecessary and misleading.
He concluded by praising President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as magnanimous for accommodating former critics.
“It is a reflection of President Tinubu’s decency and humanity that he can welcome those who once opposed him. That is the mark of a true leader, and that is why we stand with him,” Fani-Kayode added.