Ebonyi Youths Protest Arise TV Interview, Demand Apology to Minister Umahi
By Ugonma Ewa
Group of young activists under the aegis of Concerned Youths for Distinguished Senator David Umahi on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Abakaliki, calling on Arise Television and its anchor, Rufai Oseni, to tender a public apology to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The demonstrators, who marched through major streets of the Ebonyi State capital, accused Oseni of exhibiting “insulting and unprofessional conduct” during a recent interview with the Minister on Arise News.
Bearing placards with inscriptions such as “Senator Umahi is competent and trusted,” “Arise TV must apologise now,” and “NBC and BON must act against media misconduct,” the protesters condemned what they described as “a deliberate attempt to ridicule a statesman who has transformed Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.”
Speaking during the rally, the convener, Pastor Damian Onu, expressed dismay over the manner Senator Umahi was treated on live television.
“We are here to register our disappointment over the way our revered leader was handled. Mr. Oseni’s attitude was not only disrespectful but bordered on a media ambush. We demand an unreserved apology within 24 hours,” Onu declared.
He described the Minister as “a national asset and one of the driving forces of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” noting that Umahi’s track record in civil engineering and road development speaks volumes.
“This is a man who turned Ebonyi from a dusty state into an infrastructure model for Nigeria. He deserves respect, not ridicule,” Onu added.
The protest followed a heated exchange between Senator Umahi and Oseni during the controversial Arise TV interview, where the Minister reportedly asked the anchor to “allow him to speak,” prompting a sharp reaction that later trended widely on social media.
The group also submitted petitions to the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Federal Ministry of Information, urging them to sanction the television station and its anchor for alleged breach of journalistic ethics.
“We are not against free press,” Onu explained, “but journalism must be guided by respect and professionalism, not personal bias.”
Supporting the group’s position, Agbo Ogbu, a former Coordinator of Effium Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, and Okpara Ruth, said Oseni’s conduct was unbecoming of a journalist of his stature.
“No amount of on-air provocation can tarnish the image of Senator Umahi. He has contributed immensely to the progress of Nigeria, and Nigerians can see his results on the roads,” Agbo said.
As of press time, neither Arise News nor Mr. Rufai Oseni had issued any official response to the protest or the 24-hour ultimatum. The NBC and BON have also remained silent on the matter.
