Gladness Gideon
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, has publicly challenged veteran broadcaster and Arise TV anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, to a physical confrontation over what he described as a “disrespectful” and “mischievous” remark made during a television broadcast.
The challenge was issued during Oshiomhole’s appearance on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television, where he responded to a recent episode of Arise TV’s The Morning Show. In the episode, Abati had seemingly mocked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), posing a question that referenced Oshiomhole.
“I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta State, Okowa, mischievously, ‘Did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?’” Oshiomhole said.
Although he refrained from mentioning Abati by name, the senator’s comments made the reference unmistakable.
The former Edo State governor questioned the logic behind the comment, stressing that as a legislator, he holds no judicial authority to pardon anyone. He also accused Abati of holding a personal grudge, referencing the broadcaster’s 2016 arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during investigations into financial dealings under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, in which Abati served as presidential spokesperson.
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“The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?” Oshiomhole said.
He further criticised Abati’s alleged failure to acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s labour movement, particularly during Labour Day commemorations. Oshiomhole, who led the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for eight years, expressed dismay that Abati dismissed former labour leaders turned politicians without recognising their earlier activism.
“This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC. Now he talks down on labour leaders who became governors,” he added.
Oshiomhole went on to suggest that Abati’s perceived hostility may stem from his failed political bid as deputy governorship candidate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State in 2019.
“If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and lost an election in Ogun State, is that why you are paranoid? If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out,” he declared.
As of press time, Dr. Abati has not issued a response to Oshiomhole’s remarks. The exchange has sparked heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians weighing in on the tone and appropriateness of the senator’s challenge.