The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has slammed former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode for verbally assaulting a journalist during a press conference in cross rivers state.
It will be recalled that Fani-Kayode had attacked Eyo Charles, a journalist who asked him a question at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River state, last week.
Eyo, a reporter with Daily Trust, had asked the ex-minister if his recent trips were being sponsored and Fani-Kayode flew into a rage shortly after.
“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,” he had said.
Reacting to the incident on Tuesday, Chris Isiguzo, NUJ president, said Fani-Kayode had no right to attack the reporter in his line of duty.
He said the action of the ex-minister exposed him as an intolerant and unstable person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media.
Isiguzo said it is disappointing that Fani-Kayode, who hold 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,” the statement read.
“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.
The Journalistic organisation therefore asked Femi Fani-Kayode to apologies and retract the insults hurled at the journalist.
