Abati warns Rufai of lawsuit over 'Gbewudani' comment on PDP candidate
Arise TV morning show hosts Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni clashed live on Thursday after Oseni described PDP presidential candidate Sandy Onor as a 'Gbewudani', a term meaning 'hold my clothes', while reacting to a video of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike pledging to deliver the FCT and Rivers State for APC's Bola Tinubu in 2027. Abati cautioned Oseni that the remark could be defamatory and warned he might face a lawsuit, urging him to retract the comment. Oseni dismissed the warning, insisting that Wike's public backing of Tinubu amounted to mocking the PDP candidate and questioned why a national PDP leader would support the opposition. The exchange highlights growing rifts within the PDP as party members grapple with loyalties ahead of the 2027 election, and underscores the legal risks media personalities face when making unverified allegations about public figures. Viewers should note that statements implying dishonesty or disloyalty without evidence can trigger defamation claims, and consider how such on-air disputes reflect broader political realignments in Nigeria.