Nigerian ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has publicly urged former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso not to trust Peter Obi’s one-term presidential agenda, warning that Obi has a history of betraying political allies. In a statement released on Sunday, Fani-Kayode, often referred to by his initials FFK, expressed skepticism about Kwankwaso’s decision to support Obi as his prospective running mate under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). The NDC had earlier zoned its presidential ticket to the South for a single four-year term during its national convention, a move that Kwankwaso strongly backed.
Fani-Kayode accused Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, of consistently abandoning political leaders and parties throughout his 27-year political career. He claimed Obi has “betrayed every single leader he has had since 1999” and has left behind five different political parties he used to seek office. According to FFK, this pattern of behavior makes it unlikely that Obi would voluntarily step down after four years in power, as promised under the NDC’s one-term plan.
Despite previously respecting Kwankwaso and acknowledging his intelligence, Fani-Kayode said his current actions are confusing and misplaced. He warned that Obi would treat Kwankwaso like a “yoyo,” manipulating him for political gain before discarding him “like a hot potato,” just as he has done with others in the past. FFK emphasized that if Obi ever gains power, he will not relinquish it, contradicting his public pledge to serve only one term.
The ambassador-designate also expressed confidence that the NDC will not win the upcoming presidential election, predicting a decisive defeat for Obi at the hands of President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that Obi’s campaign strategy, which seeks to divide votes in the South and challenge the APC’s dominance, will ultimately fail. Fani-Kayode believes that President Tinubu and the Southwest region will secure eight consecutive years in power, a goal he sees as inevitable.
This public rebuke adds to the growing political tension ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, with key figures from different parties voicing strong opinions about Obi’s credibility and intentions. As the election approaches, such statements are likely to influence voter perceptions and deepen existing divisions within the political landscape. The outcome of the election will be closely watched, not only for its immediate implications but also for how it shapes Nigeria’s political future.
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