Femi Fani-Kayode, a lawyer and former minister of aviation, has apologised to Eyo Charles, the Daily Trust journalist whom he attacked at a press conference.
Fani-Kayode had, on Tuesday, said he had no apology to offer after a video of him verbally attacking the journalist went viral. YemieFash online reported how Fani-Kayode, who has been touring some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states, shouted at Charles before ending a briefing in Calabar, Cross River state.
Charles had asked him if his recent trips were being sponsored and the ex-minister lost his cool afterwards.
In a statement shared via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode said: “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 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.1/4
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) August 26, 2020
He also denied claims of threatening the journalist and challenged anyone making such claims to bring 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 expression,” the former minister said.
“I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honourable 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.”
The video has elicited various reactions from social media and organisations alike.