Chief
Femi Fani-Kayode is the Former Minister of Aviation. Actively involved
in politics since 1989 he has been a part of all of Nigeria’s key
political movements including the ousting of the military and support of
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (who died killed in 1998). In his own
words, he has seen “all sorts of things” and “paid his dues.” He sat
down to talk to the CEO of BEN Television Alistair Soyode about the
history and current state of Nigerian politics.
Chief Femi Fan-Kayode’s is a man that can never forget, and can
never allow others to forget. He starts by opening up about the death
of General Sani Abacha and Moshood Abiola who were both killed in 1998.
Both, he believes, were murdered. “I have no doubt whatsoever that there
was an element of American involvement,” he states seriously. He also
thinks the people responsible for Abiola’s death are the same people who
killed General Sani Abacha who died before Abiola in 1998.
Unapologetically, he names Susan Rice (the former Assistant Secretary of
State for African Affairs) the current White House National Security
Adviser as the person who gave Abiola the cup of tea that killed him.
Even if they did an autopsy the Chief is convinced there would be no
trace of poison in Abiola’s system because the people behind his death
used sophisticated means to annihilate him. He welcomes live debate on
this issue because some of those he believes killed Abiola are still in
positions of power today.
To Chief Kayode, Nigeria is a nation in crisis under President
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. He dismisses the UNCTAD World
Investment Report 2013 that says Nigeria is the best destination in
Africa for investment as shallow praise. He also gives concrete examples
of how the economy has deteriorated since 2007 when President Olusegun
Obasanjo left power (he was elected in 1999). “We haven’t made any
progress in terms of economy in terms of security, in terms of
anything,” he states categorically using the current 80% graduate
unemployment figures to illustrate his point. (Chief Kayode was part of
President Obasanjo’s administration, and has high praise for what they
did whilst in power). He lists the thorn in the side of foreign
investment in Nigeria, Boko Haram stating that “Islamic fundamentalism
is on the rise.”
It may seem remarkable that a man who was once a member of the
People’s Democratic Party is now so vehemently opposed to it. He
explains that he joined the party because he believed in Obasanjo. “You
don’t play politics as if you are in a cult,” he categorically states.
He denies leaving the party because of allegations of corruption. “I am
innocent until proven guilty.” He believes the accusations have come
because he refuses to be a quiet “nice boy.” Something he refuses to do
come what may. He says he will continue to resist and fight for a better
Nigeria.
As for Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, Chief Kayode can see the
end in sight. “They are clapping for themselves, but they don’t realise
that while they are clapping the end is coming soon.” He believes and
hopes that the president will be ousted in 2015. He adds that “by God’s
grace” this will be the case. Clearly, he believes Nigeria will be
better off without him.
As for Nigerians in the Diaspora, he urges them to go back to
their country of origin and get stuck in. “You cannot sit on the
sidelines and complain when you don’t offer yourselves.” Chief Kayode
was himself educated in the UK. He says that of all his family members
he is the only one who owns a Nigerian passport. He wants all hands to
the plough to build the country that he so clearly loves.
