Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate, has launched a scathing attack on Peter Obi, declaring that the former Labour Party presidential candidate will “never” lead the country. The outburst follows Obi’s recent comments on the June 12 struggle and the legacy of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which Fani-Kayode described as deeply offensive.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Fani-Kayode dismissed Obi’s presidential ambition, writing: “You shall NEVER become President of our nation.”
The controversy began on Thursday when Obi posted a message on X that many interpreted as a veiled jab at President Bola Tinubu, a prominent figure in the NADECO movement that resisted the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha. Without naming anyone directly, Obi wrote:
“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.”
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.”
Though Obi did not mention Tinubu by name, his remarks were widely seen as criticism of the president and certain members of the current political establishment, especially amid the deepening crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Fani-Kayode responded furiously, calling Obi’s statement an affront to the memory of those who fought and died resisting military rule. “This is way beyond politics,” he wrote. “It has assaulted the senses and wounded the sensitivities of all those that lost their lives, liberty and loved ones during the struggle against fascism, dictatorship and military rule.”
He accused Obi of desecrating the sacrifices made by NADECO members and other pro-democracy activists who opposed military rule after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. “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,” Fani-Kayode stated.
The exchange has reignited public debate over the legacy of the pro-democracy movement and the conduct of Nigeria’s current political leaders.