Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has firmly rejected claims that he ever accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of masterminding the killing of the late Lagos governorship aspirant, Funso Williams. The ex-minister described the allegation as a distortion of his past political comments and an attempt to rewrite history for partisan purposes. His reaction follows renewed circulation of old online materials linking him to the controversial accusation.
Denial of Long-Standing Allegation
Fani-Kayode, in a statement released through his media office, said he had never at any time linked President Tinubu to the tragic murder of Funso Williams, who was assassinated in Lagos in 2006. He noted that while he had been a fierce critic of Tinubu during the heated politics of the Fourth Republic, his disagreements were strictly ideological and never extended to criminal allegations. According to him, those resurrecting the claim are mischief-makers seeking to pitch him against the President.
The former minister explained that some of his past writings had been taken out of context and deliberately misinterpreted. He insisted that he had always called for a thorough investigation into Williams’ death without apportioning blame to any individual. “I have never accused Bola Tinubu of killing Funso Williams. That narrative is false and malicious,” the statement read.
Political Tensions and Historical Context.
Funso Williams, a popular engineer and politician, was a leading aspirant for the Lagos State governorship under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he was brutally murdered in his Ikoyi residence. The case shocked the nation and remains officially unresolved, fuelling years of speculation and conspiracy theories. Over time, political opponents have traded accusations, often using the tragedy as a tool in Nigeria’s intense power struggles.
Fani-Kayode acknowledged that the period was marked by bitter rivalry between the PDP and the then Action Congress of Nigeria, where Tinubu held sway. However, he stressed that political contestation should not be confused with criminal indictment. He urged Nigerians to rely on verified records rather than social-media propaganda when discussing sensitive national issues.
Fani- Kayode Call for Responsible Public Discourse
The former minister used the opportunity to appeal for more responsible engagement in Nigeria’s political space. He warned that recycling unverified allegations could inflame tensions and distract from urgent national challenges. According to him, leaders and citizens must learn to separate political criticism from character assassination.
He also encouraged journalists and bloggers to fact-check historical claims before publication. “We must not weaponise tragedies for political gain. The memory of Funso Williams deserves respect, not manipulation,” he added, reiterating his commitment to national unity and constructive dialogue with the current administration.
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