Nigerians Criticize Ex-minister Fani-Kayode for Calling Reporter ‘Stupid’
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, has come under heavy criticism for calling Mr. Eyo Charles, a journalist, “stupid” during a press conference in Calabar, Nigeria.
In a viral social media video, Fani-Kayode was seen pouring invective on the Daily Trust reporter for asking him a “stupid question”.
credit: Tebsala / CC BY-SA
Fani-Kayode, who visited six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South and South-East states ended his tour at Calabar, where he held a press conference and showered encomiums on the state governor, Ben Ayade, for the impressive progress of the projects in place.
After the floor was opened for questions, Eyo Charles asked Fani-Kayode who was bankrolling his recent trips. To which Fani-Kayode angrily replied, “What type of stupid question is that? What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you’re talking to? What type of insulting question is that?”.
Mr. Ita’s – the governor’s spokesperson – effort to pacify Fani-Kayode was to no avail as he continued to lambast the reporter, “I could see from your face before you got here how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. Don’t ever judge me by your standards”.
Charles was seen standing and apologizing to the ex-minister, “I’m sorry sir”. The other reporters appeared stupefied by the incident and didn’t ask any more questions before Fani-Kayode stormed out of the press room.
Charles said the former minister sent one of his security aides to further threaten him after the press conference.
With many on social media condemning his outbursts, Fani-Kayode has released a statement saying he has no apology to offer, insisting that the journalist’s comment was insulting.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists has condemned his actions. In a statement made by the Union’s president, Chris Isiguzo, on Tuesday, he remarked that the former minister assaulted and threatened a journalist for asking a simple question. In Isiguzo’s opinion, the question was appropriate because Fani-Kayode has been touring several states without revealing his true intentions.
He said, “By denigrating the journalist, Fani-Kayode has exposed himself more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinized by the media. 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 rule of the media”.
As many people on social media pointed out, it was ironic that Fani-Kayode who is highly critical of the government took fault in the question.
The NUJ president’s further comment succinctly encapsulates that point, “We are more shocked that the same Fani-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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