Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has appeared in a viral video attacking a journalist Eyo Charles at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State.
The ex-minister had visited Cross River last week during a tour of states in the South-South region controlled by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He held a press conference after inspecting some ongoing projects by Governor Ben Ayade, one of which is the superhighway that would stretch from the Atlantic ocean in Bakassi to the boundary of Benue State and the proposed deep sea port.
A video of his press conference was leaked to the public on Tuesday.
The journalist Eyo who works with Daily Trust asked the ex-minister if his recent trips were being sponsored.
Fani-Kayode said the reporter was “very stupid” and that he did not need anyone to bankroll his tour.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“I have been in politics since 1990. I have been locked up many times by this government. Suffered. I have been persecuted unlike most of the politicians you follow for brown envelope. Don’t ever judge me by that standard. I spend I don’t take and I am not a poor man — I have never been and I will never be.”
Fani-Kayode raged on despite attempt by Mr Ayade’s chief press secretary Christian Ita to pacify him.
During his tour of Zamfara State last month, Fani-Kayode was given the traditional title of Sadaukin Shinkafi. This created division in Shinkafi Emirate.
See video here.