Femi Fani-Kayode apologise for name dropping

Controversial ex-minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, whose series of opinion articles on the Igbo ethnic nationality, have ignited intense criticism, said Thursday he regretted naming three of his former girlfriends - Madame Chioma Anasoh, Chief Adaobi Kate Uchegbu and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of late Biafra warlord, Odumegwu Ojukwu - as evidence he was not anti-Igbo.

A statement through his Press Secretary, Mr. Bisi Lawal reads:

"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 intimate 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.


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 inappropriate 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.

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."