Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has apologised to his friends in the media for attacking a Daily Trust reporter during a press conference in Cross River on Tuesday.
Fani-Kayode was widely condemned for his reaction to a question on who was funding his tour of several states.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) issued a statement of condemnation.
Fani-Kayode said in a statement on Wednesday that, “I met with my advisors till late last night and 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 and using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.”
READ ALSO: Media Trust, NUJ Condemn Fani-Kayode’s Verbal Assault On Journalist
He said, “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 and worked with journalists and fought for the right of freedom of expression.”
He said added “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 yet another state today!”
