Endless knocks on Fani-Kayode for deploying his freedom of ‘exiression’

By Femi Alabi Onikeku

Seldom do great men swallow their words. Is Femi Fani-Kayode a great man? Well, so it seems.

At least, someone who (in his words) is “a very rich lawyer, who has been in government (and) who has been detained many times by governments (and has) a very rich background” should qualify.

Great Man Femi Fani-Kayode during the week took on a journalist for asking him a “stupid” question.

The rest however is not history, as clips of the video showing him battering the reporter would stay online forever.

What might surprise watchers of the clip is that after the violent verbal assault, which left the reporter’s ego bleeding, the great man would turn around and swallow his vituperation.

He tweeted: “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.”

Kneeling at the feet of the altar of public opinion, Fani-Kayode admitted he “would never seek to physically harm a journalist.”

He also explained how “for the last 30 years I have defended & worked with journalists & fought for the right of freedom of exiression.”

Great Man Femi no doubt believed he was expressing his freedom of ‘exiression’ when he descended mercilessly on the reporter.

It turned out however that where one man’s freedom of ‘exiression’ begins, another man’s freedom of expression also begins.

Thus, an avalanche of condemnation has since trailed Fani-Kayode’s ignoble theatre.

Faulting the deed executed on the poor Cross River Correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, Mr Charles Eyo, Nigerian Union of Journalist President, Mr Chris Isiguzo, said: “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.

“By delving into politics and holding political office, 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.

“His reaction was totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible and we demand for retraction of his untoward, irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility.

We are more shocked that the same Fani-Kayode who had in recent times, used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a journalist.”

Eyo recalled the moment. “Time for question. Christian Ita moderated. But Olanrewaju interjected and sought permission from the ex-minister that questions be limited to what FKK has said.  But FKK himself said, “There is no problem at all. They should ask any manner not questions,” that he is equal to the task.

“Many asked questions. Gill Nsa of the Nation, for instance, asked whether his national tour had any political undertone such as having presidential ambition.

A reporter from the state owned TV asked whether some of the 33 projects he said Ayade had embarked upon such as the 278km superhighway from Bakassi to the border of Benue State as well as the deep sea port were not, in fact, White Elephant projects.

“FKK disagreed strongly and said what Ayade needs the Federal Government to take over the projects and that Nigerians would see that the superhighway for instance will boost trade and integrate Nigerians.

“Now the question that would break the camel’s back! When I was recognised, I asked, ‘Sir, please, you did not disclose to us who is bankrolling you.’

READ ALSO: Journalists refuse to attend Fani-Kayode’s press conference in Akwa Ibom

FFK did not allow me to land with the question when he threw caution to the wind and shouted at me, and said the press briefing was over.

“He then rained terrible abuses on me, calling me unprintable names; that I was sponsored to come and ask and insult him. How dare you ask me such a very stupid question?

I know that you, a hungry-looking, brown envelope journalist, are sponsored to ask me such insulting question.

You can look into my eyes and ask me such demeaning question! I cannot take that!

“’I am a very rich lawyer who has been in government; who has been detained many times by governments. I have a very rich background. How can you ask who is bankrolling my tours of the states.

It is very insulting, and I cannot take that. You are very stupid. I know your publishers; I will call them in the next few minutes.

You have to be fired. I cannot answer any more questions from you or from any other reporter. This conference has ended. I have very short temper.’”

“It took the intervention and pleas from chief press secretary to Governor Ayade, Mr Christian Ita and other journalists before the ex-minister could leave the Daily Trust reporter, saying, ‘You can go ahead and write your rubbish. I have marked you’.”

All the petite journalists like Eyo at the memorable press conference have departed the scene, but the after-stench of the great man’s flatulence lives on.

Besides, as at the time of going to press, Femi Fani-Kayode’s wrongly spelt ‘expression’, like the ignoble viral video, remains online.