Fani-Kayode: We are vindicated – MURIC 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says that rather than vilify the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress, Nigerians should ‘borrow a leave’ from him, as “Nigeria stands to gain more from FFK’s volte-face.”

The group made the remark in a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a bitter critic of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), defected to the APC during the week and poured encomiums on the president, describing him as the father of modern Nigeria, among others – for which he has been roundly criticised.

But MURIC said in a statement that the development vindicates its stand.

It said: “Although a tornado of criticism has greeted FFK’s action, we will not join those who looked at the issue from one angle only. Rather, we will reflect deep and far to enable us see the precious treasure hidden behind the hard stones.

“The rose is a very beautiful flower if you care to ignore its stem which is full of thorns.

“This is a man who has brazenly supported secessionists, irredentists and separatists. Nigeria drifted to the precipice of war and destruction as a result of the agitations of the groups supported by him. But today, FFK in his new camp is most likely to promote a united Nigeria. Perhaps he can persuade some of his former co-travellers to do a rethink.

“In short, Nigeria stands to gain more from FFK’s volte-face.”

The organization recalled, “in appreciation” what FFK’s father, Chief Remi Ade Fani Kayode, did in the 70s and 80s; how he jettisoned ethnic politics by extending a hand of fellowship to the North in order to demonstrate his desire for a strong and united Nigeria.

“His son, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, has today replicated the same handshake across the Niger. FFK’s change of heart should be seen from a positive angle, particularly by those who mean well for Nigeria.

“We must forget that he has abused virtually everybody (including MURIC and its founder) who did not see things the way he did. But he must be saluted for his sportsmanship.

“Just as courtesy demands that we appreciate PMB for his patience and fatherly dispensation towards his critics, chivalry demands that we stand up for FFK today and we call on all Nigerians to do same, to forgive, to forbear, to show understanding.

“Perhaps this new development will enable all of us to see that claims of Islamisation and Fulanisation exist only in the figment of imagination of its authors. After all, the man who started it all eventually came to Aso Rock and he was neither Islamised nor Fulanised.”

MURIC said that Fani-Kayode’s action has vindicated it, saying “Fani Kayode has seen in PMB what MURIC saw eight years ago when we started supporting his campaign for the presidency.

“He has seen PMB’s style of nursing malice for no one and having charity for all, including his enemies. It won him over. He saw PMB’s achievements, his transparency.

“FFK saw how a political party spent $16 billion providing darkness for Nigerians. He saw how $2.1 billion arms money was diverted to private pockets. In sharp contrast, he is now a living witness to the kind of development that can occur in a country when its leader is not a kleptomaniac.

“He has seen the second Niger bridge which is nearing completion, the fully air conditioned trains which make mincemeat of London trains, macadamized roads in the South East (the same South East which some claim that PMB hates), South West and South South and the North, etc. He knows this is what happens when the leader does not steal. All these humbled him. It is to the credit of FFK that he was able to see virtues in PMB which other critics failed or refused to see.”

MURIC called on “separatists and irredentist elements” to do a rethink; and “take a deep breath and objectively consider what PMB has achieved in the past 12 months.”

It noted that in Fani_-Kayode’s action, Nigerians have one or two lessons to learn: that there are no permanent enemies in politics, neither is there an eternal friend.

“Our final message to Nigerians is this: ‘Seek not to crucify FFK, rather salute his courage to see the truth and to embrace that truth’.