Controversial Nigerian politician and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode arrived Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday, for the continuation of his private tour of projects embarked upon by state governments in the South-South.
But he may be having
it difficult talking to the press about his tour of Akwa Ibom, as journalists
in the state have taken a decision to boycott any activity that Mr Fani-Kayode
is involved in as retaliation for his recent verbal attack against a Daily
Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, in Calabar, Cross River state.
Mr Fani-Kayode,
during the press briefing which was held in a private hotel and moderated by
Governor Ben Ayade’s spokesperson, Christian Ita, told Mr Charles he was
“stupid” for asking him who was “bankrolling” his tour.
“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
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, said in a
statement, Friday morning.
“The NUJ is not part
of the visit.”
The statement was
signed by the NUJ Chairman, Amos Etuk, and the Secretary, Dominic Akpan.
Mr Etuk told PREMIUM
TIMES that journalists in the state did not need Mr Fani-Kayode to tell them
about Governor Udom Emmanuel’s performance. “We already know the governor’s
performance and we are satisfied with it,” he said.
Abasifreke Effiong,
the managing editor of the Dune newspaper, Uyo, said journalists in Nigeria
must stand up for one another against people who are out to insult them and
denigrate the profession.
“Whatever action NUJ
in Akwa Ibom State takes in relation to FFK’s visit to the state will go a long
way in defining our self-worth as professionals and (will) shape the way other
members of the public will deal with us going forward,” Mr Effiong added.
Meanwhile, the NUJ
in Cross River State has “blacklisted” the Cross River state government over
the Fani-Kayode incident.
The union, which
also “blacklisted” Mr Fani-Kayode, took the decision after an emergency
congress on Thursday.
A communique issued
after the union congress, said the press briefing where Mr Fani-Kayode attacked
the Daily Trust reporter was an “illegal one” by the Cross River government.
The communique was
signed by the NUJ Chairman in Cross River state, Victor Ndu; the State
Secretary of NUJ, Oka Ibor; and the Chairman of the Communique Drafting
Committee, Richard Ndome.
The union said it
was sending a letter to media organisations, asking them to pull their
reporters out of the Government House, Calabar, and also for them to stop
covering the activities of the state government until “the issue is resolved”.
“Congress restates
its total support for and stand with the Daily Trust correspondent, Eyo Charles
on the question that resulted to the unprovoked outburst (from Fani-Kayode).
“Congress also
directs the State Council to issue warning letters to members who attended the
press conference and did not do anything to protect their colleague after which
each of them is to individually write an apology letter through the State
Council to the National Leadership of the Union with a firm promise never to
violate the rules and regulations guiding the journalism practice.
“Congress hereby
resolve that henceforth all press briefings by any individual(s), public or
private organisations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as may be
directed by the State Council,” the communique said.
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