Reuben Abati Fights With Fani-Kayode Over President Jonathan

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati; and a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, over the weekend engaged each other in a war of words.

Fani-Kayode had, in an article which widely circulated online last week, described Jonathan as a “President Without Balls.” He alleged in the article that “Nigeria has become an abattoir of human flesh and blood under the tenure of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; and all those who support him (Jonathan) should bury their heads in shame.”


He added that the “greatest error, the worst tragedy and misfortune” that Nigerians ever made is the fact that “a meek lamb ended up taking a throne that was designed and prepared for a lion.”

A particular friend of Abati on Twitter, Femi Adeoya, had sought to know his (Abati’s) view on the article, which became a trending topic on the social media. In a tweet to Abati, Adeoya said, “Sir, Fani-Kayode did raise some issues about the President in the article. Can you explain and address a few of them?”

Abati, in his response, dismissed both the article and its writer and described Fani-Kayode as someone whose views should not be taken seriously.
“Femi Fani-Kayode is a commentator without sense,” Abati stated in his response on Twitter.

But Fani-Kayode, who many regard as one of the most active Nigerian leaders on social media, won’t let go without a fight. He responded almost immediately on the micro-blogging service, disparaging Abati as a “peasant.”

“Reuben Abati is a peasant without breeding,” Fani-Kayode fired back on Twitter. The bitter exchange of words by the duo has divided the ranks of Nigerians on social media, with several men and woman praising Fani-Kayode for putting together the piece, which they described as well-researched, insightful and fact-laden.

Supporters of Fani-Kayode argued that though he appeared largely confrontational and audacious, the issues raised in his article were “sadly, true.”

A Twitter user, Godwin Adukwu, commended Fani-Kayode for his piece, praising him for being bold enough to always put the government of the day on check through his constant criticisms.

  “Every king worth his salt must have the spirit of the lion and the warrior in him to a certain extent. Whether you are a king or a subject, courage is the greatest of all the virtues. Would someone please tell our President?” Adukwu wrote.

Many agreed that there were some issues in the article that demanded clarification from the Presidency. One Lanre Ankinwumi, in a tweet to Abati wrote, “What Fani-Kayode said is the thought of many Nigerians. Even the blind knows when he is hungry. Almost all units of the education sector, some in the health sector, the Corporate Affairs Commission, etc., are all on strike, and President Jonathan and his cohorts still think they are right? Boko Haram forces 1,000 teachers to flee, 50 schools burnt, 60 schools forced to close and we say Boko Haram is not winning?”

Justifying his support for Fani-Kayode over the article which stirred up a hornet’s nest, another Twitter user, Shina Abdulfatah, said Abati would have put pen to paper and write a scathing article of such magnitude if he hadn’t taken up an appointment in the Presidency.


  Abdulfatah stated, “When people trade money for honour, we have a case of a man who was on the side of the truth before he got a job at Aso Rock. The rest is history. I’m sure if Abati hasn’t gotten any appointment by now, he would be at the forefront of people writing articles on Jonathan’s failures.

  “Fani-Kayode’s article finished Jonathan and his cocoons. Jonathan doesn’t have balls indeed! Instead of Abati to call his boss and advise him, he is subbing Fani-Kayode here on Twitter. Is that your job?” .