Tinubu fed Dele Momodu claim made by Fani-Kayode sparks fresh political feud over criticism of President Bola Tinubu and past relationships

Nigerian ambassador-designate, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had supported and sustained Ovation Magazine publisher Mr Dele Momodu for over four decades, escalating an ongoing political feud triggered by recent public criticism of the President, in what has become a heated exchange marked by the controversial Tinubu fed Dele Momodu claim.

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Fani-Kayode made the assertion in a strongly worded statement while reacting to Momodu’s recent television interview in which the media entrepreneur criticised President Tinubu’s style of governance and drew comparisons with Nigeria’s military past.

The ambassador-designate described Momodu’s remarks as “misguided” and “uncharitable,” insisting that they reflected what he termed a troubling level of political inconsistency and misunderstanding.

According to Fani-Kayode, Momodu had benefited extensively from his long-standing association with Tinubu, alleging that such ties should have informed a more supportive public stance toward the President.

“Unlike Dele, I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him,” Fani-Kayode said, intensifying the verbal exchange between both political figures.

He further accused Momodu of failing to demonstrate loyalty despite past associations, arguing that personal history should not be separated from political commentary.

Momodu had, during a television appearance on Channels Television, criticised President Tinubu’s governance approach and likened it to authoritarian tendencies associated with former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

The remarks triggered swift backlash from Fani-Kayode, who urged Momodu to desist from further criticism of the President, insisting that such commentary was inconsistent with his alleged past relationship with Tinubu.

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The latest exchange adds to a growing pattern of public disagreements among prominent Nigerian political actors, reflecting deepening divisions within the country’s political elite as debates around governance and loyalty continue to intensify.

Observers say the dispute underscores the increasingly personal tone of political discourse in Nigeria, where past affiliations and alliances are frequently invoked in public confrontations.