His comments, shared via his verified X handle, have sparked renewed debate about the role of foreign actors in Nigeria’s internal democratic affairs.
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has taken to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account to criticize Bolaji Abdullahi over comments linked to plans by some opposition elements to raise concerns about Nigeria’s political situation on the international stage.
In his post, Fani-Kayode dismissed the idea of taking grievances abroad as “pathetic,” insisting that such efforts would amount to a futile exercise. He maintained that no significant attention would be given to such moves, adding that political actors should instead focus on resolving their disputes through established domestic institutions.
He argued that Nigeria has practiced democratic governance for over 27 years and questioned the justification for seeking external assistance under the pretext of defending democracy. According to him, political groups should make use of available legal and electoral mechanisms, particularly the courts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to address any internal challenges.
Fani-Kayode further stated that attempts to internationalize the matter could expose internal weaknesses within the opposition, including what he described as a lack of unity, discipline, and seriousness. He added that such actions could also project an unfavorable image of the country.
He concluded by questioning what outcomes the opposition expects from foreign governments, emphasizing that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation capable of handling its internal political affairs without external interference.
Femi Fani-Kayode wrote, ” My dear aburo Bolaji,
“Your ‘parties’ desperate recourse to run abroad and ‘go global’ to report INEC and the Federal Government is not only pathetic but will also prove to be an exercise in futility.
“More importantly be rest assured that no-one is losing any sleep over it.
“You say you are going abroad to ‘fight for democracy’ which is something that we not only have but have had for the last 27 years!”