Chief Femi Fani Kayode
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has finally left the APC.? In a press release widely published by National Newspapers, he barred his mind on the main reasons why he left the party. Strong points among these reasons are his discomfort with the religious agenda of the party, and the cult-like control of the party by some individuals. Hear him:
I have never been and will never be part of a cult and the fact that people like (Lai) Mohammed and those he represents within the APC are not comfortable with any form of admonition or criticism from senior party members like me speaks volumes. I have nothing but the fondest thoughts and memories for the majority of APC leaders including all the governors and most of the Presidential aspirants but today I have an important announcement to make. I wish to inform the general public that as at today, 2nd June 2014, I have left the APC and gone back to the PDP. I wish the APC well in all their endeavours, but as at today, we have parted ways forever and my spirit has left them.
I cannot be in a party in which dissent and a differing opinion with others on fundamental issues is seen as an offence and something to be frowned upon or to be queried or expelled for…It is clear to me that such sentiments are not appreciated in the APC under it?s present leadership and consequently I have chosen to move on
On religious agenda, he had this to say:
I am a devout and committed Christian and I cannot remain in a party where a handful of people that have sympathies for Boko Haram and that have a clear Islamic agenda are playing a leading role. This is made all the more untenable when some of those people are working hard silently and behind the scenes to impose a Muslim/Muslim ticket on the party for the Presidential elections next year.
I believe that religion ought to play no part in politics but a situation where members of the Christian faith are not treated as equals and where all the substantive positions of the National Executive of the party are made up of almost exclusively Muslims is unacceptable to me.
In fairness to the members of the party there are many leaders within it?s ranks who share my views and who are also opposed to the religious agenda that the few have but I am not prepared to stay and fight from within because the very presence of any closet Haramites on the same political platform as me is something that I find utterly repugnant.
A situation whereby, as a Christian, I am made to feel that I am a second class citizen in any association or political party which I am part of and for which I have taken risks? for is unacceptable to me. In order for any political party to move our country forward you need the input, support and confidence of the adherents of ALL religious faiths and not just that of the Muslims.
Online opinions vary about Chief Fani-Kayode’s latest move. While some observers see this as the outcome of FFK’s meeting with the President a few weeks ago, some see it as part of a trend of instability that has characterized his opinions in recent times. Nevertheless, not quite a few observers are of the opinion that he has confirmed their opinions of what APC stands for, and critics are finding it difficult to upturn his? position on the apparent religious bias in the composition of the leadership of the APC.
It remains to be seen if the APC will use the opportunity of the upcoming election of its substantive National Officers to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that it indeed is a party for all. Do you share his opinion? Leave your comments below.
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