Connect with us

OPINION

FESTUS KEYAMO AND HIS ERRATIC VITUPERATION – Dele Momodu

Published

on





I have just read Festus Keyamo’s response to my critique of the APC Manifesto of lies. I’m not surprised that all he could do was yell as usual without examining or practically addressing the content of my article. Unfortunately, he picked on a wrong customer.

Let me take a few minutes to educate this young friend of mine who has since become a shadow of his old self since he was offered an appointment, that makes him look so incompetent, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Any self-respecting soul would have since resigned but Festus Keyamo was not at home the day shame came visiting. The Ministry in which he’s a mere figurehead is in total shambles and only a Bola Tinubu would have given the job of a spokesperson to such a certified nuisance.

What did Festus say I did wrong? He quoted copiously from an article I wrote about two years ago, which the Tinubu media teams have been using to campaign endlessly, because they have no stronger voice of their own. I’m indeed flattered.

There is no doubt that I love Tinubu the Man but I disagree vehemently with Tinubu the Politician. This is not the first time I will say it publicly. Since I now have the opportunity of presenting the bones of my disagreement with Tinubu, courtesy of Festus Keyamo, I will lay them bare.
Advertisement
Tinubu has declined in the last few years. I used to see him as a man of his people but no supposed generalissimo would ever abandon his people in the days of trouble and tribulation. None of the people around him could tell him the truth for pecuniary reasons. He knows it himself but he desperately wants to be President of Nigeria, by fire by force, after he has lost most of his formidable foot soldiers, and now relying on outsiders to activate and actualize his lifelong ambition for him, which is his legitimate right. But Nigerians have the right to scrutinise his action plans.
When he was Governor, I supported him from the distance while he surrounded himself with some people who pretended to love him. When he was busy distributing land to journalists in Lagos, I refused to collect my papers because I love my freedom, the reason I was able to tell him truth regularly.
When he was to be impeached for some infractions, and many of his so-called loyalists were washing off their hands clean, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, my very dear friend, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, stood by him like the Rock of Gibraltar. But how did he repay Tokunbo who took all the bullets? This shameless Festus Keyamo was one of those who wanted to run Tinubu out of town. Nduka Obaigbena and I had to step in at some point before he could consider Tokunbo for anything. Tokunbo had wanted to be the Governor of Lagos State and Tinubu goaded him on and allowed him to waste his resources. It was when I got Chief Harry Akande to give Tokunbo the ANPP Governorship ticket for Lagos  State that Tinubu suddenly realised he had offended his “suicide bomber!”
Advertisement
During his battle to stop Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki from becoming the Senate President, we all saw how the younger politician outsmarted him. I had warned him to leave the gentleman alone because no one should play God, but he went ahead until the gentleman floored him effortlessly. During his egoistic battle against Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, I wrote an article asking him not to try it because their marriage was consummated in heaven. Somehow, he backtracked. In spite of him, Fashola continues to remain relevant in Nigerian politics.
Again, when he continued his tradition of “hire-and-fire” and started plotting against Governor Akinwumi Ambode, I buried my love for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to speak up against the injustice of removing a great technocrat who was doing well in Lagos. The President of Nigeria, the Vice President, the Governors’ Forum and many distinguished Nigerians begged him to no avail. He must have his way always. The same personalities are now the people he needs and wants to make him President. Nigeria is looking for a President, with compassion and competence, not an Emperor!
Tinubu is a man who loves to bait the Masquerade with a goat but will never release the rope. That’s why he kept losing his best friends like Musiliu Obanikoro, Ambode, Muiz Banire, Opeyemi Bamidele, Rauf Aregbesola, Fuad Oki, Yemi Osinbajo, Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya Babafemi Ojudu, Rahman Owokoniran, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara, Nasir El Rufai, Babachir Lawal, Rotimi Akeredolu, Kayode Fayemi, Aro Lambo, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Jimi Agbaje, Ibikunle Amosun, Femi Pedro, Gbenga Daniel, Kofo Akerele Bucknor. Remi Adikwu Bakare, Tunji Abayomi, Tokunbo Ajasin, Mulikat Akande. Chief Dapo Sarumi, Adeniran Ogunsanya Amos Akingba, Bolaji Akinyemi, Mojisola Akinfenwa, John Oyegun, Godwin Obaseki, Yinka Odumakin, Papa Ayo Adebanjo, Papa Abraham Adesanya, Dupe Adelaja, Toyin Fagbayi, Papa Olanihun Ajayi, Babafemi Ojudu, Prince Dipo Eludoyin, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who seems to be aloof to Tinubu’s campaign, and so many others, even if some of them have since reconciled due to political expediency. Tinubu personally decimated the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, after enjoying their massive support when we came back from exile in 1998.
Advertisement
For me, his biggest sin is the fact that he went funereally quiet when APC became a totally hopeless case, just because he’s hoping to inherit Buhari’s structures.
Lastly, I hope he would have the energy to make himself available for a rigorous scrutiny of his Manifesto. He wants to renew what actually? He wants to turn Nigeria into another Lagos? Many of those who love him genuinely know that the demystification process has started. They wished he had not subjected himself to this agony and anguish. But they can only say so in hushed whispers. Nigerians deserve better. I have been actively involved in politics. I hope Keyamo does not delude himself that I cannot make my own choices. I certainly have, and done so openly boldly. Atiku Abubakar is my choice. He is not a pretender to the throne. He has pursued his dreams with grace, good comportment, self-discipline and uncommon equanimity.
Festus and his gang keep quoting a 2019 article that I wrote. They should go and frame my other writings too. As for that political neophyte called Keyamo, he still has a lot to learn while trying hard to be a lap-dog. He should be reminded that he is still a Minister of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid at tax-payer’s expense. He should learn to moderate his undue exuberance.
I could go on ad infinitum but let’s cool temper for now.

Chief Dele Momodu
Director of Strategic Communications
ATIKU/OKOWA Presidential Campaign Council.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Click to comment
FEATURED6 hours ago

You’re A True Leader and a Blessing to Delta – Elumelu Eulogies Gov. Oborevwori on 62nd Birthday

Akpeki
FEATURED12 hours ago

APC Wields The Big Stick, Dissolves Chairmen’s Forum over Anti-party Activities in Delta

Gbaramatu-Ijaws
FEATURED21 hours ago

Itsekiri Leader, Eyengho Raises Alarm, Says “My Life is Under Threat by Gbaramatu-Ijaws; My Phone Already Bugged”

Naira Notes
BUSINESS1 day ago

BREAKING: CBN Restricts Capital Distribution for Selected Banks to Ensure Stability Ahead of 2026 Recapitalisation Deadline

COMMUNITY REPORT1 day ago

Delta Council Boss Says Healthy Environment Priority of His Administration

FEATURED2 days ago

Delta Gov’s Wife Highlights Govt Support for Woman Who Gave Birth to Quintuplets, Debunks Viral Video of Neglect

FEATURED2 days ago

Gov Oborevwori’s Aide Narrates Ordeal: How Kwale Youths Turn Protest to Criminal Siege on Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, Attack Vehicles

FEATURED2 days ago

Delta North: We Planned for 2,000 but got over 5,000 – Ned Nwoko’s CoS Highlights Unprecedented Attendance at Constituency Meeting

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Ijaw, Itsekiri Clash Worsen as Gbaramatu Kingdom Raises Alarm over Alleged Threats to Sack ‘Ikantu and Ijaghala Communities’

COMMUNITY REPORT3 days ago

Isoko South Chair Inaugurates Basketball Court to Encourage Youths in Sports

FEATURED3 days ago

Tinubu Bows to Pressure, to Visit Benue over Spate of Mass Killings on Wed, Postpones Official Visit to Kaduna

FEATURED3 days ago

Isoko Youth Group Alleges Warri Ward Delineation Plot to Destabilize Delta South Ahead of 2031 Elections

FEATURED3 days ago

75 Senators Back Anioma State Creation -Fmr. HoR Member, Nicholas Ossai Reveals Progress

FEATURED3 days ago

How Operatives of CP-SAT Arrested Suspected Armed Robbers, Gunrunners in Delta

FEATURED4 days ago

EFCC Arraigns Top Executives of Sun Trust Bank over Alleged $12m Fraud

Advertisement
Advertisement