Senator Adams Oshiomhole has issued a fiery rebuke of Arise TV anchor Dr Reuben Abati, challenging the seasoned broadcaster and former presidential spokesperson to a physical confrontation over remarks he described as “disrespectful” and “mischievous”.
The outburst, which has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political and media circles, came during Oshiomhole’s appearance on Politics Today, a primetime political programme on Channels Television. The senator representing Edo North was reacting to comments made by Abati on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, where the journalist questioned the political move of former Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
Flashpoint: Okowa’s Defection and a Loaded Question
In a recent Arise TV broadcast, Abati had posed a provocative question to Okowa, asking: “Did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?” The remark, though seemingly rhetorical, implied that Oshiomhole held gatekeeping powers within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a suggestion the senator swiftly dismissed as absurd.
“I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta State, Okowa, mischievously, I must say, with all due respect,” Oshiomhole said on Channels TV. “How can you ask that? What is my status? I am in the legislature. Is the legislature responsible for the prosecution of anyone wrong in any way?”
Though Oshiomhole did not directly name Abati during the interview, he made clear references to his time as a presidential spokesman and his entanglement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leaving little doubt about who the comments were directed at.
Old Rivalries and Lingering Resentments
Beyond the immediate controversy, Oshiomhole’s remarks appeared to tap into a deeper history between the two men. As a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and two-term governor of Edo State, Oshiomhole accused Abati of minimising his contributions to labour struggles and national development, particularly during Labour Day celebrations.
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“Even on Labour Day, he was saying some labour leaders who had been involved in picketing and fought for workers; he could not even credit me with the fact that I led the protest,” Oshiomhole said. “This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC.”
The senator appeared particularly incensed by what he described as Abati’s failure to recognise his legacy.
“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” he added, pointing to what he saw as a pattern of belittlement.
A Personal Challenge
The interview reached a climax when Oshiomhole made a direct and unfiltered challenge, accusing Abati of harbouring bitterness over his failed political ambition in Ogun State.
“If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and you lost an election in Ogun State, is that the reason you are paranoid, that every opportunity you want to abuse me?” he asked. “If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out.”
Abati was the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election, running alongside the late Senator Buruji Kashamu. The ticket lost to the All Progressives Congress candidate, Dapo Abiodun, who now serves as the state governor.
Abati, a veteran journalist and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2016. The invitation was part of investigations into the alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for arms procurement during the fight against Boko Haram. Abati was accused of receiving ₦50 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. He reportedly admitted to receiving the funds and offered to refund ₦5 million, stating that the money was disbursed to media practitioners during the 2015 presidential election campaign.
Following his detention, Abati was granted administrative bail by the EFCC. The conditions for his release included surrendering his international passport and providing a surety of not below Level 16 in the civil service.
Oshiomhole, referring to that episode, said: “The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Thereafter, EFCC arrested him. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?”
As of the time of publication, Dr Reuben Abati has not issued a public response to Oshiomhole’s remarks.
