Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has explained that he criticised President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the past because he was not well informed.
He expressed the remorse in the aftermath of his defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’, shortly after he was handed over to Buhari by APC Caretaker Chairman, Yobe State Governor Mai-Mala Buni, Fani-Kayode claimed he was ignorant of Buhari’s personality.
“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 the same today. Let’s focus on unity, peace and togetherness.
“There is a time to condemn and criticise people. There is also a time to come together, work together to achieve unity,” he rationalised.
Whereas Fani-Kayode tongue-lashed Musiliu Obanikoro and others who defected to the APC in the past, he is now reciprocally involved.
The social media have been awash with vitriolic and deep-seated criticisms with many describing him as Judas, unstable, or that he is hungry.
Quite unexpectedly, however, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, expressed what seemed his displeasure after Fani-Kayode joined the APC.
He posted a message on Facebook, describing the scenario as the saddest in his political career.
“This is the saddest day of my political career,” Ojudu stated.
The presidential aide also shared a previous vow by FFK that he would never join APC, during which he declared, “I prefer to die than join APC”.
But reacting to a question on the TV regarding his comment that he would rather die than join the APC, Fani-Kayode said, “Joining APC now is the away forward, despite what people may think about it”.
He also said, “APC is a liberal party. A lot has happened in APC over the years. The party has changed and the President has accommodated the change. Had the APC leadership not changed, I wouldn’t have joined them.
“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.”
Before joining the APC, Fani-Kayode was one of the strong voices in the opposition, and was at a time the spokesman for the PDP presidential campaign.
Fani-Kayode was on Thursday presented to President Buhari by Buni and Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.
In another breath, the ex-PDP stalwart and lawyer also confessed that he was the brain behind the defection of some PDP governors who dumped the party for the APC.
Shortly after meeting with Buhari, Fani-Kayode confessed to State House correspondents that he was responsible for the defection of three PDP governors who joined the ruling party-Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara, David Umahi of Ebonyi and Ben Ayade of Cross River.
“I was instrumental to the events that led to the defection of the three governors,” he claimed.
He further justified his defection, saying he had been a founding member of the APC and simply returned to the ruling party for the unity of the country.