A heated exchange unfolded live on television on Tuesday when the Minister of Works, David Umahi, clashed with Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, during an appearance.
The interview, which focused on the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, took an unexpected turn when Oseni questioned the minister about reports that he had allegedly complained to President Bola Tinubu over his comments on the project.
Visibly irritated, Umahi dismissed the allegation, saying Oseni was “too small” for him to report to the President.
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“You are too small for me to report you to the President. Who are you for me to report you? ” Umahi fired back.
Tensions heightened further when the minister described himself as a “professor in engineering,” prompting Oseni to interject and ask when he attained the title.
In response, Umahi clarified that his professorship was earned through experience in the field rather than through academia.
“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. I understand engineering very well. You don’t understand anything,” he said.
The exchange continued briefly before Oseni retorted, “Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself and let the world know who you truly are.”
This has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with viewers divided over the conduct of both Umahi and Oseni.
On X, formerly Twitter, @gelsonluz said: “I think these outbursts, while certainly undignified, actually serve a purpose in revealing the true character behind the policy positions. It shows the public the transparency, or lack thereof, we can expect when the cameras aren’t rolling.”
@Royal_Citizens: “Rufai can be too hot headed attimes and talks off point. They are your guests, you should treat them with respect, even your gbasgbos with them should be subtle, not this brazen.”
@iambkong: “In Nigeria, office holders see themselves as superior over the masses. In other climes, office holders are servants and answerable to the masses.”
@labalingo: “I don’t support the corruption in the government but this is not journalism. This Oseni guy is so full of himself and wasted a great opportunity to actually shed light on an important topic.”
@Greatix_post: “Rufai needs to learn some tactics. Nobody is perfect, he has key punches to throw but he needs to learn when to release them. I don’t like Umahi, I don’t like this venture when the rest of the roads in Nigeria in impassable but I also don’t like this exchange.”
