The Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday conceded that he was wrong by failing to clarify things with relevant authorities before making his controversial statement.
The Director of Special Projects and New Media for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council was invited by the Department of State Services, DSS, over a series of tweets he made on Saturday, alleging that some high-ranking military officers met with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, with a view to carry out a coup.
Reacting to his invitation after he left the DSS headquarters in Abuja, a sober-looking Fani-Kayode told journalists that he could have been more circumspect and handled things differently.
While admitting that he was grilled for five hours by the DSS operatives who were obviously prepared for him, the former minister said he was encouraged by the fact that he had nothing to hide.
He also disclosed that the security agency asked him to report back on Wednesday and once every other week until they conclude their investigation.
“Of course, when I say something on my Twitter handle, it is like the whole world is listening. And apparently, what I said really sent shockwaves in a number of places and some people were very hurt by that. I think it’s regrettable that that was the course that was taken. I’m always the first to admit when things are not going in the right way.
“But the most important thing, as I pointed out to them, was that my intention was very clear. The intention was to ensure that the authorities were on top of the situation, and perhaps without investigating Atiku to know if it is true or not. And they responded the following day.
“I think that was really where there was a source of angst on their part that we could have handled it differently.
“I have absolute confidence in the system and I have absolute confidence in the fact that the DSS is impartial. I am also deeply encouraged by the fact that I have nothing to hide.
“Though it was a very difficult, I have been interrogated by many security interests including the police and EFCC in the last 15 years. I have been incarcerated.
“I have been in and out and seen all sorts. But let me tell you that the place nobody really wants to go is probably the DSS. It’s a very challenging place to have to go.”