Arise News anchor, Oseni Rufai, has vowed to remain outspoken and continue holding those in authority to account despite opposition and criticism.
Rufai made the declaration in a post on his verified X handle on Friday, following a heated exchange with Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a live television programme.
The journalist also thanked Nigerians who reached out to him with messages of support and made calls to him after the incident.
The controversy occurred during Arise Television’s The Morning Show, where Olayinka appeared as a guest but declined to respond to questions from Rufai.
Rufai had asked the minister’s aide to comment on the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, in a presidential campaign council despite allegations of corruption against her.
Rather than answer the question, Olayinka reportedly objected to Rufai’s previous use of the Yoruba expression, “Gbewudani,” and said he would not respond to questions from the anchor.
The exchange prompted another anchor on the programme, Ayo Mairo-Ese, to intervene. She reminded Olayinka that the programme had three anchors and that guests could be questioned by any of them.
Olayinka, however, maintained his position, leading to the interview being abruptly discontinued.
Reacting to the incident, Rufai said his resolve to speak against perceived wrongdoing was strengthened by the experiences of Nigerians who had challenged oppressive systems in the past.
He referred to the late labour leader, Pa Michael Imoudu, and his role during the 1945 general strike, noting that Imoudu faced resistance not only from colonial authorities but also from some Nigerians who benefited from the system.
Rufai argued that the episode demonstrated how individuals could defend oppressive structures when they benefited from them.
He said he would not be deterred by opposition from people he accused of benefiting from what he described as the country’s decline.
Rufai added that he would continue to speak truth to power, insisting that he would not compromise his position despite resistance.
“For those benefitting from the ruination of Nigeria, we will never agree and we ought not to,” he said.