Arise News anchor, Oseni Rufai, has vowed to continue speaking truth to power regardless of what is involved.
Rufai made the vow in a post on his verified X handle after an altercation with Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during a live television programme on Friday.
He expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their messages of support and numerous calls after the incident.
DAILY POST recalls that Olayinka was on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ but refused to answer questions from Rufai after the anchor asked him to respond to the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu in a presidential campaign council despite corruption allegations against her.
Wike’s media aide, instead of answering the question, objected to Rufai’s previous use of the Yoruba expression “Gbewudani” and declared that he would not respond to questions from the anchor.
“I don’t want to answer any question from you, Oseni Rufai. I want this conversation to be among reasonable human beings,” Olayinka said.
The exchange resulted in fellow anchor Ayo Mairo-Ese intervening, reminding Wike’s aide that ‘The Morning Show’ had three anchors and that guests appearing on the programme should expect questions from any of them.
After Olayinka maintained his refusal to engage with Rufai, the programme was brought to an abrupt end and the interview was discontinued.
Following the controversy, Rufai said his determination to speak out was informed by historical examples of Nigerians who faced opposition while fighting for the interests of ordinary citizens.
He cited the struggles of late labour leader Pa Michael Imoudu during the 1945 general strike, arguing that Imoudu faced opposition not only from colonial authorities but also from Nigerians who benefited from the colonial system.
According to him, the experience showed that some people could support those oppressing them because they benefited from the system.
“It takes a trained mind to see oppression. I will continue to speak truth to power despite opposition from people benefiting from the ruination of Nigeria.
“For those benefitting from the ruination of Nigeria, we will never agree and we ought not to,” Rufai said.