Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declined to answer questions from Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni during a live interview on The Morning Show.
Olayinka appeared on the programme but objected to engaging with Oseni, stating that he preferred to converse with people he considered reasonable. The disagreement stemmed from Olayinka’s objection to Oseni’s alleged use of the term “emudani” (or “gbewudani”) in describing some individuals.
During the broadcast, Oseni asked Olayinka to explain why former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu, who has faced corruption allegations, was included in the presidential campaign council. Rather than respond, Olayinka turned to Oseni and said he would not answer any questions from him.
“Well, I’m very sorry to say this, Oseni Rufai, I don’t want to answer any question from you. I want to concentrate,” Olayinka said. “I want this conversation to be among reasonable human beings, people who will not come and tell, who will not come and describe other people as ‘emudani’.”
Co-anchor Ayo Mairo-Ese reminded Olayinka that he had accepted an invitation knowing the programme has three anchors and that the interview would not continue if he refused to answer Oseni’s questions. The session was subsequently discontinued.
The confrontation adds to a history of public disagreements between Olayinka and Oseni. The two have previously clashed over the definition of journalism and Oseni’s professional background. Olayinka has questioned Oseni’s qualifications as a journalist because he studied Animal Anatomy and Physiology, while Oseni has defended his experience and training in the field, arguing that journalism draws from multiple disciplines.
In earlier exchanges, Olayinka has criticised Oseni’s conduct during interviews with public officials. Oseni, for his part, has maintained an adversarial interviewing style that has drawn both praise for holding power to account and criticism for being confrontational.
The question that triggered the latest exchange concerns Betta Edu, who was suspended as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs in January 2024 over a memo directing the transfer of about N585 million into a private account. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigated the matter. Edu has denied wrongdoing. She was recently named Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council for 2027, a development that has drawn public comment.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, later defended Olayinka’s stance, accusing some Arise anchors of lacking objectivity.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions between government spokespersons and sections of the broadcast media ahead of the 2027 elections.