Coup tweet: Leave Fani-Kayode alone, APC tells police, other security agencies
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerian police and other security agencies to leave the embattled Director of Special Projects and New Media APC PCC, Femi Fani-Kayode, alone, following his invitation by the State Security Service, SSS, for questioning.
Recall that the SSS had invited Mr Fani-Kayode after his comments on Twitter, alleging that the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had had a secret meeting with top military officers for a coup plot.
The SSS grilled the former Minister of Aviation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo was grilled by the DSS for five hours.
But Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity APC Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the council was surprised that the police have also jumped into the same matter.
Mr Onanuga, however, assured of presenting Mr Fani-Kayode, for questioning by security agencies anytime required.
He said: “In spite of the well-publicised invitation of Mr Femi Fani-Kayode by the DSS and the report that the secret police asked him to return for further investigation today (Wednesday).
“We were surprised that the police have also jumped into the same matter.
“On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Federal Investigation Bureau also invited Fani-Kayode for questioning,” Onanuga said.
He said the APC PCC was concerned about the latest invitation by another security agency, few days to the general election, when Fani-Kayode was most needed as the council`s Director of New Media.
He added that while the council was not questioning the authority of the police to invite its official, it should be mindful that the truth they seek to find was already being pursued by the DSS.
Onanuga said the police should, therefore, allow the DSS to complete its investigation.
He said Fani-Kayode upon his first interview by the DSS, described the agency as “very professional”, in the way its operatives grilled him.
He said that Fani-Kayode was grilled by the DSS on his tweet accusing one of the opposition leaders of cooking something with the military authorities.
Onanuga said the SSS at the meeting, made it clear to Fani-Kayode that the basis of his tweet, a newspaper report, was not correct.
He added that Fani-Kayode would have another round of grilling by the DSS today (Wednesday).
“In a statement on Tuesday night, the agency spokesman explained the reason for Fani-Kayode’s invitation.
“Saying it was in respect of an investigation of some of his allegations and insinuations relating to issues relevant to national security.
“Fani-Kayode faced a panel that interviewed him on the subject matter and was granted administrative bail afterward.
“He was directed to make routine returns to the DSS office with effect from Wednesday, Feb. 15, till otherwise, the investigation however continues, “Onanuga quoted the DSS as saying.
He added that the police should allow the investigation to go its full course to avoid opening themselves to suspicions that they were implementing an agenda scripted by the opposition.
“Fani-Kayode is a respected Nigerian and had served his country as minister of aviation, he will be available any time to answer for his actions,” he said.
NAN
