By Our Correspondent
National News – Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has sharply criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, declaring that Obi will never become Nigeria’s president.
The outburst came on Friday, April 3, 2026, after Obi posted remarks on social media comparing some present-day politicians who were once pro-democracy activists with the era of late military ruler Sani Abacha.
Obi suggested that certain leaders who once fought for democracy now govern in ways worse than the dictatorship they once opposed.
Reacting on the social media platform X, Fani-Kayode said Obi’s statement was offensive and disrespectful to those who suffered and sacrificed during Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.
He argued that the comments insulted the memories of activists who resisted military rule and paid a heavy price during the historic June 12 struggle.
According to him, mocking individuals who were part of the pro-democracy movement, particularly members of the National Democratic Coalition, was unacceptable.
He insisted that many people lost their lives, freedom, and families in the fight against dictatorship, adding that dismissing their sacrifices undermines Nigeria’s democratic history.
Fani-Kayode further declared that Obi’s political ambition had effectively ended because of the remarks.
He stated that the Labour Party figure would never lead Nigeria, describing the statement as an unforgivable attack on those who resisted authoritarian rule in the past.
Earlier, Obi had written on Thursday that it was ironic that individuals who once championed democracy during Abacha’s regime were now governing in ways that appear less democratic.
While he did not mention any specific names, his comment generated widespread debate across Nigeria’s political landscape.
The controversy comes amid political tensions surrounding internal disputes in the African Democratic Congress and legal developments involving the party’s leadership structure following a court ruling and action by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Some opposition figures claim the crisis may influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, though the ruling All Progressives Congress has denied any involvement.
As political reactions continue, the exchange highlights the deepening rivalry among prominent political figures as Nigeria gradually moves toward another election cycle.
