…It was an insult on my personality-FFK
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has reacted t the trending video of the exchange of words between former aviation minister,Femi Fani Kayode saying the latter’s outburst is an assault on the journalist adding that this action has exposed him as an ‘intolerant and unstable person.
The NUJ averred that the question of Eyo Charles the Cross Rivers state Correspondent of Daily Trust newspaper was a simple question which FFK felt was embarrassing adding that “it is the constitutional right of journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power”.
The NUJ contended that the action of the former minister” was totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensive and we demand for retraction of his untoward,irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility”.
It expressed its displeasure to the fact that same personality who it said had 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 the nationwide tour on which he had already visited six States*”.
But in his swift reaction,Fani- Kayode averred that what the reporter posed “was not a question but an assertion and an insult “adding that ,” there is a distinction between asking a question and offering a gratuitous insult”.
He contended that from his own findings,”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”.
See NUJs letter and FFKs reside below:
Fani-Kayode Responds:
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.
