Controversial ex-minister Femi Fani Kayode has written to the Nigerian Union of Journalists over his verbal attack on Daily Trust journalist, Charles Eyo, on his press conference in Cross River State.
FFK has been in the news lately after his verbal abuse on Charles Eyo for asking him who bankrolls his state project tour.
According to the letter, FFK expressed his regrets over his abuse on the journalist stated that his “reaction was disproportionate and unduly harsh”.
The letter reads below;
30th August 2020
The National President,
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
Abuja.
Dear NUJ President,
Expression of Regret
My recent verbal altercation with a member of your union, who is the Cross River State Correspondent of Daily Trust newspaper during a Press Conference I addressed in Calabar refers.
I wish to convey my regrets to the reporter for my response to him and I also wish to express my regrets to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and members of the Nigerian media, whom I hold in high esteem.
I believe that my reaction was disproportionate and unduly harsh even though I felt deeply provoked by the fact that the reporter asserted that I was being bankrolled by somebody for something that I was funding entirely on my own.
I do hope that our relationship will continue as it has always been.
Thanks for your understanding and be rest assured that I not only hold you, your union and your members in high esteem but that I also remain one of those that are committed to pressing freedom and free speech in our country.
I consider myself to be a friend, a supporter and a strong ally of the Nigerian media and my hitherto excellent relationship with members of your organisation and your colleagues spanning over the last thirty years proves this to be the case. I wish you all the very best.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,
Sadaukin Shinkafi and Otunba of Jogalan