Abuja, Nigeria – June 6, 2025 – A fiery exchange on Arise TV’s The Morning Show has sparked fresh controversy in Nigeria’s media and political spheres, as Mr. Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, publicly questioned the journalistic integrity of the show’s co-anchor, Rufai Oseni.
Olayinka, who was featured on the programme Friday morning to defend his principal against recent accusations by former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, accused Oseni of abandoning journalism ethics in favor of courtroom-style interrogation.
“You are not a journalist. You studied Animal Anatomy. You need to apply for a three-month course at a school of journalism,” Olayinka said during the live broadcast, referring to Oseni’s academic background from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, where he studied Animal Anatomy and Physiology.
The heated exchange arose after Oseni questioned Olayinka over allegations made by Amaechi, who earlier in the week described Wike as a “child in politics” and “a betrayer” during a separate Arise TV appearance.
Olayinka fired back, not only in defence of Wike but with direct criticism of Oseni’s interview approach.
“Journalists are supposed to be inquisitive, not antagonistic,” he said. “You always attack personalities instead of asking questions on issues. That is not journalism. That is activism or lawyering. If Rufai wants to cross-examine people, he should join the Bar.”
The tension-filled exchange quickly caught the attention of social media users, media stakeholders, and political analysts, who are divided on the professionalism of both the interviewer and the guest.
The Merit Newspaper reports that Oseni, a prominent figure in Nigerian broadcast journalism, began his media career in radio, working with stations such as Unique FM and Gold FM, before moving to television. He currently co-hosts The Morning Show on Arise TV and has built a reputation for his bold and often confrontational interview style. He also holds an executive education from Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.
While many applaud Oseni’s fearless journalism as a refreshing divergence from traditional Nigerian media, others, like Olayinka, see it as a breach of ethical norms.
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“Media professionals must draw a line between holding power accountable and launching personal attacks,” Olayinka reiterated. “It is unethical to turn a news programme into a platform for hostility. If Oseni continues like this, he may lose credibility among his peers.”
Amaechi, a two-term Governor of Rivers State and a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, served as Minister of Transportation under President Muhammadu Buhari. His long-standing political rivalry with Nyesom Wike, also a former Governor of Rivers State, has often played out in public and through media channels.
Olayinka insisted that Amaechi’s statements were mere political posturing and called on media platforms to uphold impartiality rather than serve as a mouthpiece for political vendettas.
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), which Olayinka referenced, is one of the country’s most respected journalism schools. The comment has sparked debate over the need for formal journalism education among media personalities in Nigeria.
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As reactions continue to pour in, the clash underscores ongoing tensions between journalists, public officials, and political aides—raising questions about the state of media ethics, the boundaries of broadcast journalism, and the role of television hosts in shaping public discourse.
