Fani-Kayode Apologises for Calling a Journalist ‘Stupid’

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu is an established writer at africannewstoday.com. He is passionate about African affairs. He loves writing about interesting facts relating to the African continent and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.

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• Denies threatening Journalist

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has apoligised for calling a journalist ‘stupid’ during a verbal attack in Calabar, Cross River State on Tuesday.

His apology was tendered through a post on his official Facebook page in the early hours of Wednesday.

Fani-Kayode had verbally assaulted a journalist who asked him a question in Calabar during his tour of the South.

The former minister had said in a statement that he “had no apology to offer for how he lashed out.” The Daily Trust journalist had allegedly sought to know who was bankrolling Fani-Kayode which prompted an outburst from him.

Fani-Kayode in a statement 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.”

Reacting the claims of having sent his security detail to threaten the journalist after the press conference, 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.

“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!”