Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Germany, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned former presidential candidate Peter Obi for comments criticising the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), describing them as an attempt to denigrate the leaders and members who fought against military rule.
Obi’s statement on X (formerly Twitter) praised the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, while contrasting him with the so-called “champions of activism” from NADECO, saying Abacha would be remembered as “more democratic and more respectful of human rights” than the activists of the 1990s.
Fani-Kayode dismissed Obi’s remarks, arguing they ignore the sacrifices of NADECO members, who resisted military oppression, endured imprisonment, exile, torture, and even death, to fight for democracy between 1992 and 1999.
He further accused Obi of supporting General Abacha’s regime and criticised members of Obi’s former political circles, including Brigadier General David Mark (rtd), whom he cited as playing a role in the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola.
“Obi and his supporters were not born at the time and do not know the shameful role he played in that chapter of our history, but we will educate them,” Fani-Kayode said.
The ambassador-designate urged Obi to stop referencing NADECO, warning that revising history or undermining the sacrifices of democracy activists would not be tolerated. He also expressed disappointment over NADECO veterans like Dele Momodu and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola allegedly participating in denigrating their past efforts.
“We spoke out, wrote articles, suffered persecution, were locked up, tortured, killed, and forced into exile. Some of us had our homes burnt and relatives murdered. Those were the darkest days of our history, which many seem to have conveniently downplayed or forgotten today,” Fani-Kayode said.
He concluded by highlighting the continued pain of the losses suffered during the military era and stressed that those who risked everything to secure democracy must not have their sacrifices trivialised.
