Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists has directed its members to boycott a planned media briefing by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, after his tour of the state.
The former Minister of Aviation arrived Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in continuation of his tour of South-South, and was received by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
However, the chapter in a statement circulated to all its chapels on Friday, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, mandated members not attend any of his activities anywhere in the state.
According to the statement signed by its chairman, Emos Etuk, and Secretary, Dominic Akpan, the decision is in line with the instruction from the national leadership of the union.
It stated;
Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has directed its members to boycott a press conference planned for Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation.
In line with the disposition of the national leadership of our great Union, the State Council has directed that no journalist should attend a media parley with Femi Fani-Kayode or any of his activity at any location in Akwa Ibom State. The NUJ is not part of the visit.
This is in reaction to the verbal attack on a Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles by Femi Fani-Kayode in Calabar last week.
It would be recalled that the former Minister was under fire after a video of him lambasting the reporter during a press briefing during his tour over a ‘stupid question’ he claimed the journalist asked him.
Charles is said to have asked him who was bankrolling his tour of the South-South.
In the video, Fani-Kayode could be heard pouring invectives on the man who kept apologizing during that period.
Read Also: Fani-Kayode Sent Aides To Threaten Me After Verbally Assaulting Me – Daily Trust Journalist (video)
After the incident, Charles alleged that the former Minister sent his aide to threaten him even after he had apologized.
Following series of backlash, Fani-Kayode released a statement saying he has withdrawn the word ‘stupid’ used during the clash.
