Ebonyi youths protest Rufai Oseni over disrespect to Umahi
Youths in Ebonyi State have taken to the streets to protest against Arise Television presenter, Rufai Oseni, demanding that he publicly apologises to Minister of Works and former governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, for allegedly disrespecting him during a live television interview. The protesters, who identified themselves as “Concerned Youths for Distinguished Senator Engineer David Umahi,” said Rufai’s tone and manner during the interview were offensive and unprofessional.
The protest took place in Abakaliki, the state capital, where the youths marched with placards calling for Oseni’s apology. They accused the journalist of deliberately trying to ridicule Umahi on national television and insisted that his questions lacked respect for a serving minister and a former governor. The protesters gave Rufai Oseni and Arise TV a 24-hour ultimatum to issue a public apology, threatening to stage a larger protest if their demand was ignored.
According to the group, the media plays a vital role in shaping public perception and must uphold decorum and respect when engaging with public officials. They also urged the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and other media regulatory bodies to caution journalists who, in their view, cross professional boundaries.
The incident that sparked the protest reportedly occurred during an Arise News interview in which Oseni questioned Minister Umahi about ongoing federal road projects and infrastructure challenges. Supporters of Umahi claim that the journalist’s tone and repeated interruptions during the conversation amounted to an attempt to embarrass the minister.
As of now, neither Rufai Oseni nor Arise TV has issued a response to the protest or the ultimatum. Observers say the development highlights the growing tension between journalists and political figures over issues of accountability, respect, and professionalism in Nigeria’s broadcast media.
