Presidency Criticizes Rufai Oseni Over On-Air Clash

The Presidency has issued a criticism of Nigerian journalist Rufai Oseni after a contentious exchange with his colleague Reuben Abati during the Thursday edition of Arise Television’s Morning Show. Reuben Abati cautioned Oseni to exercise more caution in his on-air statements, warning that his comments regarding the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, whom Oseni referred to as merely a placeholder, could lead to legal actions that either he or the station may struggle to afford.

In response to this incident, Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, took to his 𝕏 handle to describe Oseni as a "narcissistic on-air personality masquerading as a journalist." Bwala accused Oseni of regularly defaming individuals and noted that he reacts aggressively when criticized.