FCT spokesman Olayinka snubs ARISE's Oseni, calls him 'unreasonable' during live TV interview
Lere Olayinka, spokesman for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, refused to answer questions from ARISE Television anchor Rufai Oseni during a live interview on The Morning Show Friday. Olayinka told Oseni he prefers to engage only with 'reasonable human beings,' objecting to what he called Oseni's description of some people as 'emudani.' The confrontation occurred after Oseni asked about the inclusion of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in the presidential campaign council despite corruption allegations against her.
This media clash highlights growing tensions between government officials and journalists in Nigeria's information ecosystem. When spokespeople publicly reject journalistic questioning, it raises concerns about transparency and accountability in governance. The incident suggests some officials may be avoiding scrutiny on sensitive appointments and policy decisions, particularly regarding controversial figures in political campaigns.
The term 'emudani' appears to be a local expression that Olayinka found offensive, adding a cultural dimension to the professional disagreement. Olayinka has previously made provocative statements about the 2027 elections, claiming Wike 'injured' political rivals Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
When government officials choose not to engage with journalists on public platforms, what does this signal about their willingness to be accountable to the Nigerian public they serve?