BUHARI HAS CHANGED, FANI KAYODE SPEAKS ON DEFECTION

Former Minister of Aviation during the President Olusegun Obasanjo government, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr. Fani Kayode said that he was led by the Spirit of God in his decision and that he joined the APC to help for the unity of the country, adding that he was against anything that would cause the disintegration of Nigeria.

He informed that he was instrumental for the exit of three Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors to the APC.

The governors he mentioned were Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Bello Matawale of Zamfara State.

He further said that he has friends across party line and was wooing the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed to join the ruling party.

Giving reasons why he defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Politics’, Femi emphatically said he joined APC to achieve unity, peace and togetherness in Nigeria.

When asked to comment on the statement he made in 2015 against President Muhammadu Buhari, the outspoken Femi opined that: “There is a time to condemn and criticise people. There is also a time to come together, work together to achieve unity”.

Recall that Femi had in 2015 condemned politicians that joined the ruling party, saying that he would rather die than join APC.

His words: “I am not surprised that @MObanikoro and @iyiomisore have got their passports back from the EFCC and are now in America. I do not blame them for joining the ruling party to avoid persecution. Some are strong whilst others are weak. I would rather die than join APC or bow to Buhari.

“We must stay strong and focused and refuse to be distracted. We must enthrone justice, air play and equal opportunities for every Nigerian regardless of his faith, ethnic nationality or circumstances of birth. Ours is to speak for the weak, the poor, the voiceless and the oppressed.”

However, holding on the above statement, Seun Okinbaloye, Channels presenter asked Femi to give explicit reasons he defected, Femi answered: “Joining APC now is the away forward, despite what people may think about it.

“APC is a liberal party.  A lot has happened in APC over the years. The party has changed and President has accommodated the change. Had the APC leadership not changed I wouldn’t have joined .

“I am doing the right thing based on conviction and understanding. This is the right decision for me, love me or hate me, it will not take anything away from me.

Speaking on his verbal attacks on Buhari, Femi said he spoke against him from the outside, noting that he now know who Buhari is from the inside.

His words: “I spoke against Buhari from the outside, now I know him from the inside. I am not saying he is an angel or a demon. The APC I was talking about that time is not same today. Let’s focus on unity, peace and togetherness,” he said.