Former Aviation Minister and prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has firmly denied reports linking him to the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation, describing the claims as “fake news.”
In a statement, Fani-Kayode dismissed the circulating reports as the work of “419 blogs” spreading falsehoods and engaging in deliberate mischief.
“I know nothing about the NFF. I have not been approached or nominated for its presidency or chairmanship, and if such an approach were ever made, I would respectfully decline,” he said.
Expressing his surprise over the fabricated stories and quotes shared online, the former minister said he was shocked to see claims that he had entered the NFF race and later stepped down in support of another candidate.
He categorically denied any involvement in football administration and urged the public to ignore what he called “a deeply insulting attempt to drag my name into a matter I know nothing about.”
Fani-Kayode also warned against the dangers of misinformation and urged Nigerians to rely only on official statements from his verified platforms.
“These faceless blogs are criminal in nature. They attribute to me words I never uttered. Nigerians should be wary and treat any report not from my verified channels with the utmost suspicion,” he cautioned.
The spread of fake news remains a persistent issue in Nigeria, often damaging the reputation of individuals and institutions. Efforts by the government to regulate social media as a countermeasure have faced widespread resistance from citizens, who fear such moves may threaten free speech.
So far, investigations by major news outlets have uncovered no credible evidence suggesting Fani-Kayode was ever in contention for the NFF presidency.
