By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
A group known as the Concerned Youth for Senator Engineer David Umahi has demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from Arise Television and its anchor, Rufai Oseni.
The group, which protested in the Abakaliki metropolis, reacted against the on-air interview conducted with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, earlier this week, which the youths described as insulting.
The group issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the media organisation and the journalist, warning of further escalation of their actions should the demand not be met.
The protesters, who marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Enough of Oseni bully Engr. Umahi”, “BON, NBC and Minister for information should penalize Arise TV and Oseni” and “Arise TV and Oseni are giving 24hrs to apologize to Engr. Umahi,” among other inscriptions, were led by Pastor Damian Onu.
Addressing the media, Pastor Onu condemned the manner of the interview, accusing the anchor of turning an honourable engagement into a platform for “bullying, ambushing, and insulting” the Minister’s person and personality.
“We have been going through the cities of Abakaliki because of an insult that was melted on the number one person God has given to… drive the actualization of the renewed hope agenda of the Mr. President,” Pastor Onu stated, referring to Minister Umahi.
He passionately defended Umahi as a major asset to the Federal Government, praising his record of developmental achievements, particularly as the former Governor of Ebonyi State.
The protesters pointed to specific parts of the interview that they found disrespectful and derogatory:
“Keep Quiet” and “Too Small” Comments: The confrontation, which quickly went viral, involved Oseni telling Umahi to “keep quiet” and stating that the journalist was “too small” for him to report to President Bola Tinubu, a claim Oseni had made during the heated exchange.
Adding, “I didn’t understand that and then he went ahead to say that his excellency, Senator David Umahi, was dignifying himself in the face of the whole world to see who he truly is.”
“Can you imagine that statement? Engr Umahi, is somebody thAt has become a billionaire before the age of 30.”
“This is somebody that knows how to use public fund in a way that will benefit the whole people of this nation called Nigeria. And he is not extravagant in spending even the coastal roads, the Lagos/Calabar coastal highway that is in question.”
“You want him to give you the exact amount use to build a kilometer? Whereas from Lagos to Calabar the roads are not the same.”
“The soil some places demand embankment, some demand excavation, some demand leveling, some demand filling,” he said.
The youth group also heavily criticized Oseni for questioning Umahi’s self-designation as a “Professor” in engineering, which the Minister clarified was earned through field experience rather than academia.
Pastor Onu issued a firm ultimatum: “We are gathering here to make a demand… that Oseni of Arise Television, and Arise Television as an organization, they are giving 24 hours to tender an unreserved apology to our God-given leader.”
He further called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), and the Minister of Information to intervene, urging them to “call Rufai Oseni to order, if possible, sanction them an organization, so that they will know that somebody has to be trained to practice journalism.”
The group warned that if the apology is not rendered within the stipulated time, they would intensify their demonstration.