The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it described as the “gangster-like outburst” by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode towards the Cross River State Correspondent of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles whom he felt asked him an embarrassing question at a press conference.
Mr. Charles had sought to know who was behind Fani-Kayode’s tour of some states where he’s been assessing projects.
In response, however, the former Aviation Minister assaulted the journalist and threatened him for daring to ask such a question.
He accused the journalist of offering a gratuitous insult, adding, “This is all the more so when it is clear that the assertion was sponsored and engineered by my political enemies who wanted to use the young man to insult and embarrass me and question my integrity. Well they got more than they bargained for.”
Reacting to Fani-Kayode’s outburst, the National President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, in a statement issued on Tuesday, noted that “By denigrating the journalist, Fani Kayode has exposed himself the more as an intolerant and unstable person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the Media.”
The statement read further: “It is instructive to remind the likes of Fani Kayode that it is the Constitutional right of Journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power. By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani Kayode is very conversant with the watchdog role of the media.
“For him to have embarked on assessment of projects in some states, even though we are yet to be told under what platform, he is doing so, it is proper for the media to hold him to account for his actions and decisions.
“His reaction was totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible and we demand for retraction of his untoward, irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility.
“We are more shocked that the same Kayode who had in recent times, used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a Journalist for a simple demand for him to unmask those behind his nationwide tour. He had already visited six states. This is indeed, terribly disappointing.”
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In his defence, Fani-Kayode said he had no apologies for his treatment of the Daily Trust reporter.
He said: “During my tour of the South and after a long and successful press conference in Calabar, Cross Rivers state, a journalist put up his hand for the last question and said,
“Well we do not know who is bankrolling you”.
“This is not a question but an assertion and an insult.
“And if this insulting ASSERTION were made before Trump or OBJ I know how they would have reacted.
“Below is my response and I have no apology to offer for it.
“The young man apologised to me during the press conference and sent his apologies to me after the conference. I have accepted his apologies in good faith and moved on.
“I have always had respect for journalists and I always will. Those of them that know me or have worked with or for me over the last 30 years can attest to that.
“However there is a distinction between asking a question and offering a gratuitous insult.
“This is all the more so when it is clear that the assertion was sponsored and engineered by my political enemies who wanted to use the young man to insult and embarrass me and question my integrity. Well they got more than they bargained for.
“I repeat this was not a question but an assertion and an insult and I will not accept that from any man born of woman. Thank you.”
