A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has finally said he’s deeply sorry for referring to a journalist, Eyo Charles, as “stupid” saying “I hope he will be kind enough to forgive me.”
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 went viral on social media, Fani-Kayode was seen giving the Daily Trust reporter a dressing down for asking him a “stupid question”.
The journalist was said to have asked Fani-Kayode who bankrolled his recent tour of several southern states.
However, the former minister, who was infuriated by the question, said the journalist was stupid.
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.
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READ ALSO: Daily Trust Condemns Fani-Kayode’s Attack on Reporter
“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.”
Fani-Kayode was criticised with the Nigeria Union of Journalists condemning the former minister while the management of Daily Trust threatened to report to the police if any harm came to its reporter.
On Wednesday Fani-Kayode on his Twitter handle 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.”
However, his regrets were rejected by journalists who boycotted the minister’s press conference on Friday.
But speaking at Government House, Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom, on Friday, Fani-Kayode said he disappointed himself and everyone.
He said, “I’m deeply sorry for the manner I reacted to the said reporter. I was too hard on him. The question was mischievous, but I fell for it.”
READ ALSO: How God Saved Our Lives- Residents of Scene of Lagos Helicopter Crash
“I should have been smarter than that. I am using this opportunity to reach out to him, and I hope he will be kind enough to forgive me. I disappointed myself, my family and friends, my colleagues and even my bosses, those who hold me in high esteem.
“I have regrets, it was not my finest day. No leader or public figure should ever react like that. I disappointed myself. I deeply regret it and I believe it will never happen again.”
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