Former Minister of Aviation and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode, has apologised for calling Daily Trust journalist "stupid" during a press conference in Calabar.
In a video, which has since gone viral on the social media, Fani - Kayode was seen giving the Daily Trust reporter a dressing down for asking him a “stupid question.”
The journalist was said to have asked Fani- Kayode who bankrolled his recent tour of some southern states.
The former minister, who was infuriated by the question, said the journalist was stupid.
He said, “I am saying this on live TV. What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? I will not take any questions from this man. What type of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? To do what? Who can give me money for anything? Who do you think you are talking to ? Go and report yourself to your publisher? Please don’t insult me here. I don’t want to take any questions from this man.
“I could see from your face before you got here; how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. Who do you think you’re talking to? Bankroll who? You think I am one of those ones you … from who, when, how? You have a small mind, very small mind. Don’t judge me by your own standards.”
But Fani-Kayode's outburst attracted condemnations from Nigerians.
In a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, the former minister said he met with his advisors and have decided to withdraw the word "stupid" which he used against the journalist during the encounter.
He wrote, "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.
"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.
"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!