Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) is a popular Nigerian politician and a lawyer. FFK has held several ministerial positions in the past. He has his name in Nigeria’s political history book but not particularly in the album of the legal profession.

A man who commands articulate, intelligent and charming personality. FFK is well-read and has demonstrated a knowledge capacity which may liken him to a depository of information.

He has an admirable boldness that makes him appear like a fearless being. Even in the face of many criminal charges, prosecution and persecution, he seems to have fought his way through, holding his head high.

FFK is a man of many words. He speaks with a level of conviction that can sway anyone. He explores this ability greatly. He presents himself as a man of integrity who fears God.

But there’s a problem. He appears to have one flaw. Evidence of circumstances seems to cast aspersions on his integrity claims. This appears to have thrown him up on the podium of truth and has left us to demystify him by attempting to liken him to Lord Petyr Baelish, a character in the popular series, Game of Thrones, as far as matters of trust are concerned.

Lord Baelish (also known as Littlefinger) was a “master political operator.” His character was neatly summarized thus:

Challenge… clawing his way to the top. Petyr is a master political operator, and has worked his way up from being almost nothing to being one of the most powerful men in the Seven Kingdoms. He’s ambitious and has no intent to settle down and learn to appreciate what he has. He’ll keep scheming until he’s running the whole show, or dies trying.

Personality… clever, charming, and dishonest. Petyr raises duplicity to an art form, offering out tiny parcels of the truth as he maneuvers the great lords and ladies of the realm like puppets. While not a physically intimidating man, it would be unwise to dismiss him. With limitless ambition, a sharp mind, deep pockets and no scruples, the cagey Littlefinger might be one of the deadliest men in all of Westeros.

From PDP to APC, to PDP to APC

FFK appears to have been a political prostitute. This is not where the problem lies, as many Nigerian politicians are known for always defecting from one party to the other. Political parties in Nigeria are not particularly known for any defined and distinct political ideologies. There’s only one interest – personal interest above national interest.

What makes FFK’s defection a special issue is found in his comments and the kind of personality he sells to the public. By his political CV, FFK was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later joined the All Progressive Congress (APC), announcing that he has left PDF forever.

He however returned to the PDP before the 2015 elections where he served as the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation. While serving in this position, several unprintable comments were credited to FFK in the media.

Sometime in 2019, it was rumoured that FFK had defected to APC. He vehemently denied the allegation, saying:

The suggestion that I have joined the APC is false and deeply insulting. Those that are peddling this fake news should bury their heads in shame. With what we have witnessed I would rather die than join a filthy, rat-infested sinking ship like the Almajiri Peoples Party (APC). I am committed to opposing the APC and those that are in their ranks for the rest of my natural life and I will NEVER join them no matter what! They are nothing but darkness whilst I stand for the light of God and truth: there can be NO fellowship between light and darkness.

In September 2021, FFK was reported to have now joined the APC. Going back to one’s vomit is not in the character of humans. Again, the real issue is not in defection per se but in the kind of comments attributed to FFK in the whole process. No man who prides himself as a man of integrity makes careless comments. A man of integrity chews his words and thinks of tomorrow. A man of integrity admits his wrongs without attempting to cleverly manipulate his listeners and followers. A man of integrity who stands for justice stands tall. FFK has been quite outspoken in attacking the present administration of President Buhari for all the excesses of Government. What has changed? Nothing, really.

Like Lord Baelish, everything FFK represents appear to be for personal benefit. This is not the way of noble men of high repute.

Summary

Now, FFK has a choice to eat his words. But he may not let it digest before he vomits again. His name appears to have been written in the political history book of Nigeria, in a chapter dedicated for men and women lacking the medal of integrity. Navigating the length and breadth of social media, you’ll see Nigerians with their pen, writing all they know about FFK and his antecedents of political behaviour. As he scrolls through, he will see his scores.