The state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
in Akwa Ibom state has directed its members to boycott a press conference
planned for Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation.
In a statement on Friday, the chapter asked journalists not
to attend any activity organised by the former minister.
Fani-Kayode announced his arrival in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom
state capital, on Thursday.
This came days after Fani-Kayode insulted a journalist for
asking him what he described as a “stupid question” at a press conference after
his tour of Cross River state.
The ex-minister, who began a tour of some states, especially
those controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states in July, visited
Cross River last week.
At a press conference in Calabar, Cross River state capital,
Eyo Charles, a journalist with Daily Trust, had asked a question about who was
bankrolling Fani-Kayode’s trip.
The former minister felt offended by the question and went
ahead to insult the journalist, referring to him as “very stupid”.
“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, a very small mind. Don’t judge me by your own standards,” he
had said.
His comments had generated widespread criticism from many
Nigerians and groups, including the NUJ which described him as “intolerant and
unstable”.
Chris Isiguzo, NUJ president, had said it is disappointing
that Fani-Kayode, who holds leaders to account, is the same person attacking a
journalist for doing his job.
“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,” he had said via a statement.
The former minister later regretted his use of the word,
“stupid,” and apologised to his “friends in the media”.
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Any journalists that attends a press conference by FFK does not deserve to be called a journalist. FFK is not a friend of the press and can never be. FFK is not a minister in this present regime and one can only wonder why he has embarked on tour of projects in states.
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