Fani-Kayode dumps PDP to join hands with Buhari's APC

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister and fierce critic of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection from the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) was announced on Thursday, September 16, 2021 when he met Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

He was led to the Villa by APC caretaker chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, alongside Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, who also dumped the PDP for APC this year.

L-R: Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Femi Fani-Kayode [Presidency] Pulse Nigeria

Addressing the media after meeting the president, Fani-Kayode said he joined the APC because it was the appropriate time to put Nigeria first and build bridges to move the country forward.

He praised the government for efforts made over the past couple of years in fighting insecurity, even though an escalation of violence all over the country has claimed thousands of lives.

"It's very important for us to appreciate the fact that when we see that there are good things that are happening, we appreciate those good things. It's not always negative. And when the time is right, we change direction to join forces," he said.

The former minister was one of the aggrieved PDP members who founded the APC in 2013, but he made a quick return to the PDP and has been a fierce outspoken critic of the Buhari government.

While his defection is not a shock as it's been rumoured for months, it's a spectacular u-turn by a man that has publicly said numerous uncharitable things about the APC and its members, including President Buhari who's a common target.

He called the party a 'rat-infested sinking ship' in 2019 when he was rumoured to be joining at the time, a report he said was very offensive to his principles.

"Those that claim that I have joined them and that seek to link my good name to such a bloodthirsty, blood-lusting, accursed political association of Boko Haramists, Fulani herdsmen, genocidal maniacs, ethnic cleansers, mass murderers, ethnic supremacists, religious bigots, cow-lovers, and corrupt treasury looters that have brought nothing but death, division, misery, poverty, incompetence, shame and destruction to our nation and our people will burn in hell forever!" he said in December 2019.

Fani-Kayode said on Thursday that his core values remain intact, and his choice was fueled by the spirit of God.