Daniel Adaji
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has accused Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang of weakness and cowardice following the governor’s recent engagement with the Israeli Ambassador.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode lashed out at Mutfwang, saying he has failed to protect his people and instead chose to “welcome genocidal maniacs and child-killers” into Plateau.
“Let me reiterate my position: you are a weak and cowardly man who does not know his left from his right,” Fani-Kayode declared in the statement titled My Response to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang’s Response.
The former minister was reacting to a rejoinder issued by Mutfwang, who had earlier responded to Fani-Kayode’s criticism of his meeting with the Israeli Ambassador. Fani-Kayode maintained that his initial comments were polite and restrained, but said Mutfwang’s reaction exposed a deeper failure in leadership.
“Your people in Plateau State are being slaughtered and you are busy writing feeble rejoinders to me? Don’t you think you have bigger problems than that?” he asked.
He argued that Mutfwang had not measured up to his predecessor, Senator Simon Lalong, who he said had a better handle on the state’s security challenges.
“When Sen. Lalong was Governor of your state, the killings were minimised because he understood the nature of the terrorists,” Fani-Kayode wrote.
He also condemned Mutfwang’s openness to Israeli partnerships, warning that the governor had made a dangerous spiritual and political mistake.
“You inflicted a spiritual wound on yourself by welcoming genocidal maniacs and child killers to your table,” he wrote.
“Those who kill Palestinians and occupy their land illegally can hardly be trusted to bring peace to the land of others,” he added.
Fani-Kayode alleged that Israeli involvement, even under the guise of aid or agricultural support, came with consequences.
“Take the money but never trust them. Such support from such evil men comes at a high price,” he warned.
Despite the harsh tone, Fani-Kayode claimed his statements came from a place of concern.
“As one who has spoken up for your people, I believe I have every right to be concerned and to express my views,” he said.
The former minister ended the letter with a prayer for Mutfwang and a plea for better governance.
“May the Lord open your eyes and may He restore peace to Plateau State,” he wrote.
Governor Mutfwang has not responded to the latest outburst as of press time.