Where Is Chief Femi Fani-Kayode?

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode came into national consciousness in the defunct Third Republic when he emerged as the Chief Press Secretary to the then National Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and later as a special assistant to Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi.

He was later to play a key role in the June 12 de-annulment struggle from exile in the UK with his lethal pen, where he teamed up with the members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

Some of his critics dismiss him as rather garrulous as he spills out lot of sensitive information without a care in the world about how it would affect the victims. We recall when he said that he once had a romantic relationship with the current Foreign Affairs Minister and widow of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while she studied for her A-Levels in the UK, where he largely studied.

FFK, as he is fondly called, is also a notorious name dropper as he is in the habit of always reminding his readers about his late father’s achievements – Late Chief Remilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode QC SAN, who was the former Deputy Premier of the defunct Western Region.

The news broke out of his posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, the most powerful economy in Europe. Rumours swirled not long after of his rejection by the German authorities, which he vehemently denied.

Not long after, he swapped positions with the Ambassador to South Africa, opining that having spent a great part of his years in Europe, he wanted to spend more time in Africa.

Many Nigerians, including my humble self, were skeptical about his ambassadorial appointment. He lacks the diplomatic finesse and tact to succeed in the plum job.

Ever since his posting to South Africa, he has been very quiet. At a time when his countrymen are victims of afrophobia, a worse kind of xenophobia, coming at a time when most Nigerians are being hounded on the streets with their lives cut short, properties looted and treated worse than wild animals, he has yet to find his voice.

FFK needs to hit the streets of South Africa and rally round his countrymen there, especially during this evacuation, which has seen the first batch of Nigerians land back home.

Tensions are already at an all-time high between Nigeria and South Africa, with former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, calling for a nationalization of all South African assets in Nigeria in retaliation to the afrophobia.

FFK is expected to speak up and adequately protect Nigerian interests in the Rainbow country.

When the Ghanaian returnees from South Africa came back to Ghana, they were all given a heroes welcome with financial assistance to help them get back on their feet. Their foreign affairs minister represented President John Mahama and spoke in fatherly tones to the distraught returnees. Anti-South African sentiments are currently very high in Ghana, as there were protests in the MTN office in Ghana.

When the first batch returned from South Africa via Air Peace, it was hardly covered by the Nigerian media, and there were no talks of some form of financial assistance for them. This is where FFK ought to step in to be their voice rather than his ominous silence.

His office and personal clout are supposed to be used to greatly advance the interests of all Nigerians living in South Africa, as well as the rather tense diplomatic relations between both countries. His silence is treacherous and a gargantuan disservice to his countrymen, who are being battered like mere rams on the cold streets of South Africa.

FFK, please speak up now!