Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has renewed his criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of betraying political allies and questioning his judgement, credibility and suitability for the presidency. Fani-Kayode made the allegations in the concluding part of his article titled “To Waziri Atiku Abubakar: A Final…...
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has renewed his criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of betraying political allies and questioning his judgement, credibility and suitability for the presidency.
Fani-Kayode made the allegations in the concluding part of his article titled “To Waziri Atiku Abubakar: A Final Word for a Diminishing Star (Part 2),” published on X, where he cited past comments attributed to former government officials and political leaders to support his position.
He quoted former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as saying: “I loathe @Atiku. He is not a good man and he is easy to manipulate by riff-raff. I would prefer to return to Tinubu than be with him. Under Atiku Nigeria would suffer a chaotic crash.”
Fani-Kayode also cited another statement attributed to Lawal, who allegedly said: “Atiku is a man that doesn’t see life in you if you are not a Fulani man. You are nothing. He doesn’t see you if you are not a Fulani man… I can’t say maybe as a Muslim, but if you are not a Fulani man, you are entitled to nothing from him or for him or by him.”
Describing the remarks as “instructive and plausible,” Fani-Kayode argued that they offered an explanation for what he characterised as Atiku’s divisive conduct, arrogance and “insatiable greed” for power.
The former minister also referred to an account attributed to former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke concerning alleged tensions between Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo ahead of the 2003 presidential election.
According to Fani-Kayode, Duke recounted an informal meeting involving Obasanjo, former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and Atiku, during which questions allegedly arose over Atiku’s loyalty to Obasanjo.
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Fani-Kayode said Babangida allegedly warned Obasanjo, “I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” before looking at Atiku and telling the former president, “this one cannot rule Nigeria.”
He added: “Assuming this account is accurate and factual, Babangida was right.”
Fani-Kayode further cited comments Obasanjo reportedly made during a television interview on October 3, 2018, in which the former president criticised Atiku’s judgement and understanding of presidential responsibilities.
Obasanjo was quoted as saying: “Atiku Abubakar does not have the right sense of judgment and on a number of occasions I pointed this out to him. He complained too much and wasn’t able to understand or learn what it takes to be a President so I gave up.”
Fani-Kayode described the remarks as a “damning” assessment, arguing that Obasanjo had eventually recognised what he considered Atiku’s shortcomings.
He also disputed claims that Obasanjo subsequently gave Atiku an unequivocal endorsement after meeting him in Abeokuta on October 11, 2018, following Atiku’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.
According to Fani-Kayode, the meeting was primarily intended to facilitate forgiveness and reconciliation rather than provide a full political endorsement.
He cited the position attributed to the late former presidential candidate Obadiah Mailafia, who argued that the meeting was a reconciliation exercise brokered by religious leaders.
Fani-Kayode also recalled Obasanjo’s earlier statement in August 2018: “God will not forgive me if I support Atiku.”
He maintained that the former president’s subsequent remarks during the Abeokuta meeting should not be interpreted as an unequivocal endorsement of Atiku’s candidacy.
The former minister then defended his own credibility, recounting what he described as 18 years of politically motivated criminal prosecutions and periods of detention.
“I was prosecuted in four courts over 18 years on criminal charges that were all politically motivated,” he said, adding that he appeared before 12 judges, including at the Court of Appeal, and won every case.
He further stated: “I was detained for 10 days in 2008, three months in 2016, and a further three months later that year: 6 months and 10 days in all, in hideous conditions.”
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Fani-Kayode alleged that he was held for weeks in the Boko Haram section of Kuje prison and that two of his wives and two of his children were harassed by security operatives during the period.
“One was locked in a bank in Ekiti with my one-year-old son, surrounded by armed men, for six hours, for no just cause,” he said.
He maintained that he did not publicly complain about his ordeal but instead trusted the judiciary to determine the cases.
“I went through that storm with humility and dignity. I did not lament, claim persecution, or beg for a soft landing. Yet you question my credibility,” he said.
“I will not let that go. I paid my dues, proved my innocence and earned my credibility.”
Fani-Kayode also explained why he had avoided travelling outside Nigeria while the cases against him were ongoing, despite having family members and homes abroad.
He said he had taken an oath in 2008 not to leave the country until he had been cleared of all criminal charges.
“Yet despite all this, much to the shock of my lawyers, children, wives, family members, Pastors, staff, friends and political associates, for those 18 years when I faced one politically-motivated criminal prosecution after the other I did not travel abroad once,” he wrote.
He added that he only gave himself permission to travel after winning his final case on February 4, 2025.
“Many will ask why this was so and the reason, though old fashioned, is simple: unlike others I could not carry the shame of being accused of things I never did and then be travelling all over the world as if I had no issues at home,” he said.
Fani-Kayode subsequently accused Atiku of betraying several political figures and parties, including former President Obasanjo, former President Umaru Yar’Adua, President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He alleged that Atiku had also abandoned political allies at critical moments and contributed to divisions within the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The former minister further accused Atiku of hijacking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from Nafiu Bala Gombe and driving political figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, away from the party.
Questioning Atiku’s political record, Fani-Kayode asked: “Are these constant betrayals and habitual acts of sabotage and treachery what you would describe as credible behaviour Waziri?”
He also challenged the former vice president to stop communicating with him privately about the dispute.
“I urge you not to send me anymore private messages. If you have anything to say to me, say it yourself and say it publicly,” he wrote, adding, “Needless to say I will respond with vigour.”
Fani-Kayode concluded by expressing concern about Atiku’s emotional state if he loses the forthcoming election, suggesting that his family should take the matter seriously.
“My fear for you is when you lose the election that you will not suffer a mental breakdown. Your family and loved ones must take this seriously,” he said.
Despite the harsh criticism, Fani-Kayode described his closing message as one motivated by concern for the former vice president.
“A final word which is borne out of love and concern for someone who was once our Vice President,” he wrote before concluding: “Be rest assured that I will be one of those praying you. Shalom Waziri.”