femi fani-kayode...
by Isi Esene
Former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has been in the eye of the storm following his mention of certain individuals who he purportedly had “long-standing intimate relationship” with. Those mentioned include the widow of the late Biafran warlord, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; Chioma Anasoh and Adaobi Uchegbu.
[READ: Femi Fani-Kayode: The bitter truth about the Igbo]
Fani-Kayode who has written several articles to buttress his point over the undue encroachment of the Igbos into the South-west region of the country defended his stance saying he could not have been an ethnic bigot if he, at a time in his life, had engaged in intimate relationships with these women.
[READ: Femi Fani-Kayode: Lagos, the Igbo and the servants of truth]
In a statement signed by Bisi Lawal, Fani-Kayode’s Press Secretary, the former minister “expressed deep regrets for mentioning the names of three distinguished Nigerian ladies that he was once associated with” stating that he meant no harm.
[READ: A rejoinder: On the Igbos – Of Femi Fani-Kayode’s ignorance and a proud display of it]
Read the full statement below:
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode hereby expresses his deepest regrets for mentioning the names of three distinguished Nigerian ladies that he was once associated with in his last article titled ”A Word For Those Who Say I am A Tribalist’‘.
He meant no harm by doing so and neither did he at any point make references to having had any sexual relations with any of these ladies when they were associated with him as is being suggested by some members of the public. He was simply trying to emphasise the fact that he has nothing against the Igbo people and that his friendship with these three ladies in particular over the years provided some evidence of that.
[READ: Elnathan John: About Femi Fani-Kayode’s ‘bitter truth’]
For the record he has not seen Madame Chioma Anasoh, Chief Adaobi Kate Uchegbu and Ambassador Bianca Onoh in many years and he admits that it was inappropiate for him to have mentioned their names in the essay, to use them as a point of reference in a public discussion or to make any references whatsoever to the nature of their past association. All references to them have been erased from the updated version of the essay.
[READ: Opinion: Femi Fani-Kayode attended the best schools but lacks class]
Chief Fani-Kayode has reached two of the ladies concerned and he has personally conveyed his unreserved apology to them both and to their families for his indiscretion. He shall endeavour to reach the third lady to do the same in the next few days. Chief Fani-Kayode has nothing more to say on this matter and would prefer to remain focused on issues of national importance and not of a personal nature.