Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has expressed regret for using the word ''Stupid'' on a journalist with Daily Trust during a press conference in Calabar, Cross River state on August 20.
The reporter, Eyo Charles, had asked the former Minister who was on a tour of different states in Southern Nigeria if he was being bankrolled by anyone. FFK felt insulted by his question and lashed out at him, calling him ''Stupid''.
The former Minister took to his Twitter handle this morning to express regret for using the word ''stupid'' and has now withdrawn it. He also debunked claims he sent some persons to attack the journalist.
His tweet reads ''I met with my advisors & 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 & using such words.
I hereby express my regrets for doing so. I do however wish to state categorically that no threat of physical harm was ever made to the journalist in question and neither did I send anyone to threaten him. Anyone that says otherwise is lying and I challenge them to bring the proof".
I would never seek to physically harm a journalist. For the last 30 years I have defended & worked with journalists & fought for the right of freedom of exiression. I am also very close to many in that profession.
I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honorable and noble within its ranks. I hope that this will assuage the pain and anger of anyone that was hurt or offended by this ugly episode. I have now put this matter behind me and moved on. Now my tour of the South continues. Moving to another state today".
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