The former Nigeria Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has tendered apology for referring to a journalist, Eyo Charles, as “stupid”.
Fani-Kayoye made the apology in a statement on Wednesday.
In the statement, he said, “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.”
He then denied the allegations that he was threatening to harm the Daily Trust reporter.
In his words, he said, “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.”
The former minister added that he remained a friend of the media and he would be the last to seek to disparage that that are honorable and noble within its ranks.
Fani-Kayode had come under strong criticism for calling the reporter ‘stupid’ during a press conference in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital.
Fani-Kayode is seen in a video that has gone viral on social media, giving the Daily Trust reporter a dressing down for asking him what he (Fani-Kayode) regards as ‘stupid question’.
The journalist was said to have asked the former minister who bankrolled his recent tour of several southern states.
However, Fani-Kayode got infuriated with that question and said the journalist was stupid.
In the video, he said, “I am saying this on live TV. What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? I will not take any questions from this man. What type of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? To do what? Who can give me money for anything? Who do you think you are talking to? Go and report yourself to your publisher? Please don’t insult me here. I don’t want to take any questions from this man.
“I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. Who do you think you’re talking to? Bankroll who? You think I am one of those ones you… from who, when, how? You have a small mind, very small mind. Don’t judge me by your own standards.”
The Nigeria Union of Journalists had condemned the former minister while the management of the Daily Trust had threatened to report to the police if its reporter is harmed.
