Lagos, Nigeria — A former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode, has sharply criticised the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, declaring that he would never become president of the country.
Okay News reports that the disagreement followed comments made by Obi comparing some former pro-democracy activists to Nigeria’s late military ruler, Sani Abacha. The remarks triggered reactions from political figures, including Fani-Kayode, who described Obi’s comments as offensive to those who fought against military rule.
In a post shared on the social media platform X on Friday, Fani-Kayode argued that Obi’s statement went beyond political disagreement. He said the remarks insulted individuals who lost their lives or freedom during Nigeria’s struggle against dictatorship.
“To mock the memory of those that died fighting for democracy in the June 12th struggle and sacrificed their lives and liberty as members of NADECO in this way is unacceptable and unforgivable. Simply put, it is despicable,” he wrote.
The June 12 struggle refers to the pro-democracy movement that followed the annulment of Nigeria’s June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by businessman Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. The movement involved activists from the National Democratic Coalition, commonly known as NADECO, who campaigned against military rule.
Fani-Kayode further declared that Obi’s presidential ambition would fail.
“You shall NEVER become President of our nation,” he said.
The comments were in response to a post Obi published on Thursday. The former governor of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria said it was ironic that individuals who once fought for democracy now governed in ways he considered worse than the dictatorship they opposed.
“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” Obi wrote.
He added that Abacha “will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days,” concluding that “Power indeed reveals character.”
Although Obi did not name any individual, his remarks came amid tensions linked to a leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress. Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, had derecognised an executive led by former Senate President David Mark following a court ruling.
Some opposition figures accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress of influencing the crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections, allegations the party denied.
The exchange highlights rising political tensions as Nigeria’s political actors position themselves ahead of future elections.
