You deleted Deborah Samuel tweet, I’m tempted calling you ‘Kachalla’ – Fani-Kayode to Atiku
Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has publicly criticized Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, for his failure to refer to President Bola Tinubu by his official title during an address on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Fani-Kayode condemned Abubakar’s comments as “intellectually-flawed, highly disrespectful, inherently dishonest and utterly bereft of decency and logic.” He noted that Abubakar repeatedly addressed Tinubu simply as “Bola,” which he deemed contemptuous.
“Surely this level of pettiness is below even you,” Fani-Kayode remarked, yet he stated that despite the provocation he would refrain from using a derogatory term for Abubakar and would extend the respect he believes is still warranted.
Fani-Kayode referenced Akin Osuntokun, a former political adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also criticized Abubakar’s informal references to Tinubu, asserting that while criticism is acceptable, a lack of decorum in how one addresses the president is unacceptable.
Fani-Kayode remarked that he was not surprised by Abubakar’s behavior, citing prior confrontations the former vice president has had with political leaders. He accused Abubakar of betraying Obasanjo soon after they took office in 1999 and conspiring with certain governors to challenge Obasanjo’s authority ahead of the 2003 elections.
He further implicated Abubakar in publicly insulting Obasanjo during their time in office and attempting to rationalize his opposition to the former president in the context of a third-term agenda.
Additionally, Fani-Kayode criticized Abubakar for labeling former President Goodluck Jonathan as an “inexperienced young man” who mismanaged the country’s affairs. He also highlighted Abubakar’s response to Vice President Kashim Shettima, who had demanded accountability for Abubakar’s political tenure.
Fani-Kayode expressed skepticism regarding Abubakar’s claims about northern cultural values, alleging that Abubakar has failed to embody traits such as decency, humility, and loyalty that he associates with the region. He also referenced the 2022 killing of Christian student Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State, criticizing Abubakar for his handling of the incident, including claims that he deleted an initial condolence message.
In conclusion, Fani-Kayode accused Abubakar of harboring an “inordinate ambition” and a “pathological obsession” with power, reflecting deep-seated tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape.
