By Ovasa Ogaga,
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has launched a scathing attack on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declaring that he would never become Nigeria’s president over what he described as “offensive” remarks about the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The criticism follows comments by Obi in which he drew comparisons between present-day political actors—some of whom were pro-democracy activists—and the late military ruler Sani Abacha, suggesting a troubling reversal of values.
Reacting in a post on X on Friday, Fani-Kayode said Obi’s statement went “way beyond politics,” accusing him of trivialising the sacrifices of those who fought against military rule. He argued that the remarks insulted the memory of individuals who lost their lives, freedom, and loved ones during the June 12 struggle and the resistance led by NADECO.
“To mock the memory of those who died fighting for democracy… is unacceptable and unforgivable. Simply put, it is despicable,” he wrote.
Obi, in his earlier post, had described it as a “historical irony” that some individuals who once championed democracy now govern in ways worse than the dictatorship they opposed. He added that Abacha might be remembered as “more democratic and more respectful of human rights” than some of today’s leaders, concluding that “power indeed reveals character.”
Although Obi did not name specific individuals, his comments have been widely interpreted within the context of ongoing political tensions and internal disputes, including the crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where the electoral commission recently derecognised a faction of the party’s leadership following a court ruling.
Opposition figures have since accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of influencing the crisis ahead of the 2027 elections, an allegation the party has firmly denied, further intensifying the political atmosphere.
