Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has fired back at critics over allegations against the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdullaziz Yari.

It is understood that videos claiming Yari was involved in gold smuggling went viral on social media platforms in recent times.

It came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted 22.2 kilogrammes of gold valued at ₦4.4 billion at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Reacting to the videos on 𝕏, Fani-Kayode said that those peddling the rumour should bury their heads in shame for their falsehood.

He accused those responsible for the videos of seeking to bring down a good man.

Fani-Kayode said, “It is a complete lie to say that the gold intercepted at the Kano airport had anything to do with my friend and brother Senator Abdul Aziz Yari, the Marafan Sokoto.

Worse, it is asinine and nonsensical. Try to pull a good man down. There’s nothing new in it, and it seldom works.

“Nothing can change a man’s destiny, or prevent him from fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. “Those behind this fake news are vicious and malicious. They should bury their heads in shame.”

Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode has alleged that former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is a betrayer and will eventually dump former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

It was recalled that the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) had during its national convention zoned its presidential ticket to the South for only four years.

Kwankwaso gave massive support to the decision that paved the way for Peter Obi to run for a single tenure in the 2027 election.

Reacting to the development, Fani-Kayode, in a statement on Sunday, told Kwankwaso not to believe Peter Obi’s one-term agenda.

Fani-Kayode added that the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has “betrayed every single leader he has had since 1999 and abandoned every single one of the 5 political parties whose platform he has used or attempted to use to run for one office or the other over the last 27 years”.

Fani-Kayode said that while he had always respected Kwankwaso and regarded him as “an intelligent man”, his “behaviour baffles me”.

The former Minister said the NDC has no hope of winning the 2027 election, adding that Peter Obi’s attempt to divide the South’s votes will fail.

“Peter will dribble him like a yoyo and then drop him like a hot potato like he has with everyone else he has worked and run with,” he said.

“If a man like that ever gets power be rest assured that he will NEVER leave it let alone after 4 years.

“Thank God NDC has no hope of winning and that Peter will be roundly beaten by PBAT in a few months time.

“His attempt to split the votes of the South and deny our President and the SW of having 8 straight years in power will fail.