Veteran Kannywood Actress Fati Muhammad Faces Backlash As She Slams Atiku Over Fuel Subsidy Promise

Veteran Kannywood actress Fati Muhammad has sparked a major controversy and is facing heavy backlash after publicly criticizing her former political principal, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over his promise to return fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Fati, who is now with the APC, made a series of posts recalling her long support for Atiku since 2007. She wrote, “Since 2007 I have been following Atiku in politics and it was lies and broken promises that separated me from him.” She explained why she immediately dismissed his new fuel subsidy promise, saying, “That is why when Atiku said he will bring back fuel subsidy in Nigeria, I outright said, wallahi he is lying, he cannot do it, because I know who he is.”

She said those criticizing her for calling Atiku a liar do not know the full story. According to her, “You are talking about me saying he is lying, I know he is lying. Is it not a lie when he says he will bring back fuel subsidy? In 2019 he said he will sell all the oil refineries completely, at that time I was with him, you were not with him.” She added that if popular musician Dauda Rarara did not misunderstand her, she would by now be among those deceiving her community and her fans in the name of Atiku’s movement.

Fati also recounted the heavy sacrifices she made for Atiku. She said, “Because of Atiku, my house was burned down. Because of Atiku, my car was burned. Because of Atiku, I had to give up my life in Kaduna and return to Kano. Because of Atiku, many of the people who loved and supported me turned their backs on me. I went through a lot because of Atiku at a time when many of you did not even support or like him.” She further said she endured all forms of insults and challenges when she was opposing the late President Muhammadu Buhari for Atiku, at a time when those now defending Atiku did not even like him.

In another post titled “Has Atiku forgotten, or does he think people have forgotten?” Fati questioned Atiku’s consistency. She wrote, “Now Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is saying he will bring back fuel subsidy. But the question that should be asked to him is:Where is the promise you once made to sell all of Nigeria’s oil refineries?” She said Nigerians have not forgotten that in the past there were statements about removing fuel subsidy and selling government assets including refineries, but today the language has changed to bringing back subsidy. She asked, “Is this a new style of seeking votes, or has the position changed because of politics?”

Fati stressed that she knows the kind of promises made to them since she has been with Atiku since 2007. She said if today they are told “we will bring back fuel subsidy,” they will not just accept it without questions. She demanded, “Before you make us a new promise, first explain to us the old promise: why was there talk of selling the oil refineries?” According to her, “This country does not need the politics of mere mouth. Nigeria needs leaders who will stand on one word, explain their policies clearly, and take responsibility for what they said. Atiku, Nigerians have not forgotten. The history of your statements is there.”

Her posts have triggered a backlash on Facebook from Atiku’s supporters who have branded her an ingrate and a betrayer. Old videos and news reports detailing how Atiku helped her are now circulating on social media to counter her. The latest video trending is a podcast interview she granted on Ali Jita’s podcast, as seen in the attached video, where she previously spoke emotionally about her loyalty to Atiku. Atiku’s supporters are now sharing that clip to portray her as ungrateful.

Responding to the backlash, Fati admitted that Atiku helped her but said gratitude should not be used to silence her. She wrote, “I am Fati Muhammad, and I have no reason to deny that Atiku Abubakar once helped me at a certain point in my life. I know and appreciate the kindness he showed me, and I will never claim otherwise. However, it is unfair to say that because someone helped me in the past, I should therefore be prevented from speaking or expressing my opinion today.”

She reminded the public that she also made sacrifices for Atiku. She said, “What many people tend to forget is that I also stood by Atiku, contributed my own support, supported him, and did what I could at a time when I genuinely believed it was the right thing to do. So, if we are going to talk about what happened between us, do not tell only one side of the story while deliberately ignoring the other.”

She argued that help should not become a lifetime debt of silence. She wrote, “Helping someone is not a debt that can be used to force that person into silence forever. If I appreciate you for the kindness you showed me, that does not mean I am no longer allowed to have a different opinion from yours. Gratitude and political opinion are two completely different things.”

She added, “If we once did good for each other, let that goodness remain good. Do not turn it into a weapon for insults or disrespect whenever disagreements arise. I do not deny the kindness that was shown to me, but I also will not accept anyone erasing all the contributions I personally made simply because we have disagreements today.”

Fati concluded by defending her right to change her political opinion. She said, “Not everyone who changes their opinion is ungrateful, and not everyone who criticizes someone who once helped them is betraying that person. Sometimes, a person can genuinely appreciate what was done for them in the past while still having a different opinion in the present. That is part of being human and having the freedom to express oneself.”