Arise Television anchor Oseni Rufai has said he will not be deterred from holding those in authority to account despite criticism and opposition.

Rufai stated this while reacting to the controversy that followed a heated exchange between him and Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during a live edition of Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Friday.

In a post on his verified X handle, the journalist thanked Nigerians who reached out with messages of support and calls following the incident.

The controversy started when Rufai asked Olayinka to comment on the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, in a presidential campaign council despite corruption allegations against her.

Olayinka, however, declined to respond to the question, instead taking issue with Rufai over his previous use of the Yoruba expression, “Gbewudani”.

He subsequently told the anchor that he would not respond to any question directed at him by Rufai.

“I don’t want to answer any question from you, Oseni Rufai. I want this conversation to be among reasonable human beings,” Olayinka said.

His refusal led to an intervention by another anchor on the programme, Ayo Mairo-Ese, who pointed out that ‘The Morning Show’ has three anchors and that guests should be prepared to take questions from any of them.

Despite the intervention, Olayinka remained unwilling to engage Rufai, forcing the programme to be cut short and the interview brought to an end.

Reflecting on the incident, Rufai said his commitment to speaking against perceived injustice was not dependent on whether his position was popular.

He drew a comparison with the experience of the late labour leader, Pa Michael Imoudu, during the 1945 general strike, noting that Imoudu faced resistance from both the colonial authorities and some Nigerians who benefited from the system at the time.

According to Rufai, the example showed how individuals who benefit from an oppressive system may defend it rather than challenge it.

“It takes a trained mind to see oppression. I will continue to speak truth to power despite opposition from people benefiting from the ruination of Nigeria.

“For those benefiting from the ruination of Nigeria, we will never agree, and we ought not to,” Rufai said (Nigerian Tribune)