By Dansu Peter Senator Adams Oshiomhole has issued a fiery challenge to Arise TV anchor and former presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abat...
By Dansu Peter
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has issued a fiery challenge to Arise TV anchor and former presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, following what he called a “mischievous and disrespectful” remark made on national television.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, the lawmaker representing Edo North reacted strongly to a recent episode of Arise TV’s The Morning Show, where Abati questioned former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
“I was particularly shocked that a senior journalist would ask Okowa, ‘Did you get permission from Oshiomhole for your sins to be forgiven before you joined the APC?’” Oshiomhole said. “That question wasn’t just wrong—it was provocative and insulting.”
Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and ex-governor of Edo State, expressed disbelief that Abati would suggest he wields such power in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Come on, I’m in the legislature. I don’t decide who’s prosecuted or forgiven. How could anyone imply that I have the authority to grant political absolution?” he asked.
While he didn’t mention Abati by name, Oshiomhole made several pointed references to the journalist’s political history and time as a government official under President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The man who said that was once arrested by the EFCC after his time as Jonathan’s spokesman. Did I help him get out? Did he need my permission to leave the PDP?” he quipped.
Oshiomhole also accused Abati of deliberately downplaying his contributions to the labour movement—particularly during Labour Day celebrations.
“Even on May Day, he couldn’t acknowledge my role. He said labour leaders just go on to become governors. Yet, this same man once wrote an article calling me ‘the people’s president’ back when I was leading the NLC,” he recalled.
The senator ended his remarks with a provocative challenge.
“If you’re still angry because you lost the deputy governorship race in Ogun State, don’t take it out on me with every chance you get,” he said. “If you really want to insult me, don’t hide behind a television screen—let’s take it to the street and settle it like men.”
Abati had contested as running mate to the late Buruji Kashamu in the 2019 Ogun State governorship election under the PDP but lost to APC’s Dapo Abiodun.
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