Rufai Oseni fires back after Wike aide clash, vows to speak truth to power
By Chuwang Dungs
September 5, 2026
Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has vowed to continue speaking truth to power following his heated on-air confrontation with Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Oseni, in a Friday post on X, thanked Nigerians who contacted him after the incident during The Morning Show, saying the messages of support had left him “embarrassed and emboldened.”
The journalist said his determination to advocate for a better Nigeria was rooted in history, particularly the struggles of late labour leader Michael Imoudu and the 1945 general strike.
Oseni said his motivation was driven by “the love of country, God and welfare of the left behind,” adding that he was not on television to impress everyone but to contribute to the betterment of Nigeria.
“I am not here to impress you or agree with you but here to speak to the betterment of a country so blessed but so poor,” he said.
He acknowledged that he could make mistakes but maintained that speaking truth to power would remain central to his work. “I can always assure you that the priority to speak truth to power will be my strength,” he said.
The statement followed a tense exchange with Olayinka during Friday’s edition of The Morning Show, after Oseni questioned the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, in President Bola Tinubu’s campaign council despite corruption allegations.
Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, refused to answer Oseni’s questions and objected to his conduct, including his earlier use of the Yoruba expression “gbewudani.” Co-anchor Ayo Mairo-Ese later ended the interview after Olayinka declined to engage with Oseni.
The confrontation generated reactions on social media, with Nigerians divided over the incident. Oseni, however, vowed not to be deterred, declaring, “For those benefitting from the ruination of Nigeria, we will never agree and we ought not to,” while pledging to continue speaking for Nigerians he described as “left behind.”
