By Ayo Kehinde
Mr Femi Fani-Kayode
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, has directed its members across Nigeria, particularly the Akwa-Ibom State chapter to boycott the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode’s visit to the state after verbally assaulting a Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, who asked him a question at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State.
Fani-Kayode, still pursuing his tour of the states, announced his arrival in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, on Thursday.
In a statement, Mr Amos Etuk, the state NUJ chairman, said the decision to boycott any activity organised by Fani-Kayode was in line with the stance of the NUJ national leadership.
He said: “In line with the disposition of the national leadership of our great union, the State Council has directed that no journalist should attend a media parley with Femi Fani-Kayode or any of his activity at any location in Akwa Ibom State. The NUJ is not part of the visit.”
The former Minister the week, described Charles Eyo, Daily Trust correspondent in Cross Rivers State as “stupid” and poured other invectives on the hapless journalist for asking him a question he felt was rather offensive.
In the video of the encounter, which has gone viral on social media, Fani-Kayode is seen giving the journalist a dressing down for asking him a “stupid question”.
The journalist had asked Fani-Kayode who “bankrolled” his recent tour of several states in the country.
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.
“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.”
In a swift reaction, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, condemned the action of the former minister.
NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, said in a statement noted that the former minister assaulted the journalist and threatened him for daring to ask such a question.
Isiguzo said the question posed to Fani-Kayode was appropriate because the former minister had been touring several states without revealing his true intention.
He said, “By denigrating the journalist, Fani-Kayode, has exposed himself the more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised 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 role of the media.”
The NUJ President said it was ironic that Fani-Kayode who was highly critical of the government could take issue with simple questions.
“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,” he said.
