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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The feud between media mogul Dele Momodu and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has taken a fresh turn, with Fani-Kayode issuing a ferocious response that further deepens the rift between the friends turned foes.
In a statement released shortly after Momodu’s earlier remarks, Fani-Kayode dismissed the Ovation publisher’s criticisms as emotional and unfounded, saying he was amused by the reaction his initial article generated.
“I tried to be polite and restrained… I didn’t realise it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that, I offer no apology,” he said.
Fani-Kayode accused Momodu of losing composure, claiming his response showed he was “completely unhinged” and acting more out of emotion than logic. He went further to suggest that Momodu’s political relevance had waned, describing him as “a shadow of his former self” engaged in what he termed a “lost cause.”
The former minister also defended his own political evolution, acknowledging past criticisms of President Bola Tinubu while insisting he had since admitted he was wrong and remained loyal to the president after joining the ruling APC in 2021.
“Unlike others, I will never deny what I said in the past… but I had the courage to admit that I was wrong,” he stated, adding that his support for Tinubu during the 2023 elections and beyond remains unwavering.
In a personal swipe, Fani-Kayode accused Momodu of hypocrisy, alleging that despite a long-standing relationship with Tinubu, the media figure had refused to support the president’s ambition. He contrasted this with his own stance, portraying himself as consistent and committed.
He also rejected Momodu’s characterization of Tinubu as a dictator, describing the comparison as “rubbish” and insisting that Nigeria remains under democratic rule. According to him, if Tinubu were truly authoritarian, critics like Momodu “would either be dead or in jail.”
The Nigerian Ambassador to Germany did not hold back in his closing remarks, warning that although he still had a “soft spot” for Momodu, he would respond more forcefully if provoked again.
“He should stay in his lane… otherwise, I will give him plenty to write about. Game on!” he declared.
The latest exchange follows Momodu’s earlier broadside against Fani-Kayode and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, whom he described as “perpetual agents of perfidy,” accusing them of opportunistic loyalty shifts and attempts to silence dissent.
What began as a political disagreement has now evolved into a deep personal feud.