by Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
This Day, July 6th 2009
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that the face-off between him and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had been settled. Consequently, he said that for now, he had no regret for giving his full support to former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the crisis with Atiku.
Answering reporters questions in Ile-Ife on Saturday when he paid a visit on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Fani-Kayode, who noted that the rift between Obasanjo and Atiku was unfortunate, stated that the reconciliation between the two leaders midwived by the Governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was the best that could happen to the political class.
Fani -Kayode said, “The reconciliation between Chief Obasanjo and his deputy is the best thing to happen to this country, it is the best for the political class, the PDP and the nation. I think it was an unfortunate rift and President Obasanjo has demonstrated his leadership quality by reconciling with Atiku.“I have also visited the former vice president myself and he gave me a wonderful reception. We are one big family and I am happy about that.”
When asked whether he had any regret for attacking Atiku during the latter part of that administration, the former minister disclosed that as ‘soldier’, he was merely carrying out instruction from the government.“That period was an unfortunate series of event which had consequences and control beyond any of us and I think we have learnt some lessons from it. But as for me, I followed the order of my General any time any day,” he said. Fani-Kayode who has signified his intention to contest the next governorship election of Osun State on the platform of PDP condemned the introduction of blood oath-taking into the politics of the South-West , saying that the action, apart from being an absolute disgrace, is also against God.
“It is a disgrace and it is a shame and I completely abhor such practices and I think those who indulge in such should bury their heads in shame. Politics of blood taking, blood shedding, blood drinking and taking oath with the devil, killing of people and so on should be stopped,” he said.