Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has apologised for referring to a journalist, Eyo Charles, as “stupid”.
The former Minister had come under heavy criticism for calling the reporter ‘stupid’ during a press conference in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Fani-Kayode had verbally abused the Daily Trust reporter for asking him ‘who bankrolled his recent tour of several southern states, a question Fani-Kayode had described as “stupid”.
Prominent Nigerians, civil rights activists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists had condemned the former Minister while the management of Daily Trust had threatened to report to the police if any harm came to its reporter.
But on Wednesday, the former Minister had capitulated and apologised for his action.
According to him, “I hereby withdraw the word ‘stupid’ which I used in my encounter with a journalist in Calabar. I have many friends in the media who I offended by losing my cool and using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.”
The former Minister, also denied allegations that he was threatening to harm the Daily Trust reporter.
Below is the full text of the statement…
FFK Withdraws “Stupid” in His Statement, Says No Threat Intention To Any Journalists
“I met with my advisors till late last night and I wish to say the following. I hereby withdraw the word “stupid” which I used in my encounter with a journalist in Calabar.
I have many friends in the media who I offended by losing my cool and using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.
I do however wish to state categorically that no threat of physical harm was ever made to the journalist in question and neither did I send anyone to threaten him. Anyone that says otherwise is lying and I challenge them to bring the proof.
I would never seek to physically harm a journalist. For the last 30 years I have defended and worked with journalists and fought for the right of freedom of expression.
I am also very close to many in that profession. I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honorable and noble within its ranks.
I hope that this will assuage the pain and anger of anyone that was hurt or offended by this ugly episode. I have now put this matter behind me and moved on. Now my tour of the South continues. Moving to yet another state today!”- FFK
