…Says it is totally reprehensible
By: Olamide Adeniji
The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists- NUJ, Chris Isiguzo has condemned the outburst by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) against the Cross River state correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles.
In a statement issued by the national body of Journalists, today the FFK’s outburst was described as that of a gangster.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemns the gangster-like outburst by Chief Femi Fani Kayode against the Cross River State Correspondent of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles who asked him a simple question which he felt was embarrassing”.
In his reaction, Kayode assaulted the journalist and threatened him for daring to ask such a question.
The Union noted that 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.
“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 statement further read, “By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani Kayode is very conversant
with the watchdog role of the media”.
“For him to have embarked on assessment of projects in some states, even though we are yet to be told under what platform, he is doing so, it is proper for the media to hold him to account for his actions and decisions”.
The Union condemnded his reaction, describing it as totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible, demanding for retraction of his “untoward, irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility”.
“We are more shocked that the same 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”.