The Presidency has criticised Arise Television host Rufai Oseni following a heated on-air exchange with his colleague, Reuben Abati, during Thursday’s edition of The Morning Show.

The disagreement reportedly erupted after Oseni described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, as “Gbewudani” while discussing a video of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In the video, Wike reportedly vowed to deliver the FCT and Rivers State to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Oseni questioned why Wike, a prominent PDP leader, would openly campaign for Tinubu rather than support the party’s presidential candidate.

He described the PDP candidate as a “Gbewudani,” which he explained as someone who would simply “hold my shirt” and remain silent.

Abati, however, cautioned Oseni against making comments that could expose the television station to legal action, warning that his remarks could be interpreted as damaging to the reputation of political figures mentioned during the discussion.
The exchange escalated as Oseni accused Abati of raising concerns about lawsuits whenever their views differed.
Reacting to the incident, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, launched a sharp criticism of Oseni, describing the broadcaster as an “OAP masquerading as a journalist.”
Bwala, in a post on his official X account, accused Oseni of frequently making defamatory remarks against public figures while allegedly reacting strongly to criticism directed at him.