Sen. David Umahi v. Rufai Oseni: A Call for Professionalism and Decency in Journalism‎‎

‎‎Phone: 0803 474 7898 ‎Email: totalpolitics@ymail.com ‎‎In a democratic society, journalism stands as one of the sacred pillars of accountability, meant to question power, clarify issues, and inform the public with fairness and respect. However, when journalism turns into personal theatre — where anchors treat guests with hostility, interrupt them unnecessarily, or use public platforms to ventilate personal grudges — it loses its nobility and purpose. This unfortunate decline in ethics was again visible in the recent encounter between H.E. Senator David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works, and Mr. Rufai Oseni of Arise Television, whose conduct during that interview has sparked national conversation about the limits of journalistic audacity.‎‎Mr. Rufai Oseni, in his now predictable fashion, went beyond firm questioning to outright provocation — constantly cutting in, talking over the Minister, and attempting to corner him with loaded questions that smacked of personal bias rather than professional curiosity. It was less an interview and more of an inquisition, with Oseni seemingly determined to embarrass his guest rather than engage him. Nigerians watching from their homes were visibly uncomfortable; many expressed outrage on social media at the sheer lack of respect shown to a serving Minister.‎‎This was not an isolated incident. Those who follow Mr. Oseni’s broadcasts know that he has developed a pattern — a style that thrives on confrontation, mockery, and exaggerated “gotcha” moments. He often hushes guests, cuts their sentences short, or raises his voice in a way that is both condescending and unprofessional. Unfortunately, what he calls “holding leaders accountable” frequently comes across as bullying and grandstanding.‎‎In this latest episode, Senator David Umahi was simply not having it — and rightly so. As a man known for his discipline, calmness, and deep understanding of engineering, Umahi stood his ground and asserted his right to speak without being constantly interrupted. The Minister of Works was not invited for humiliation but for an interview, and every public servant deserves to be treated with dignity, no matter the strength of disagreement.‎‎The encounter once again exposes a fundamental problem in our media space: the creeping rise of self-appointed interrogators who confuse aggression for intelligence. At some point, one begins to wonder — are we watching journalism or stage drama? One cannot help but laugh when Nigerian anchors start overacting on screen, behaving as though they are the reincarnation of Larry King or Christine Amanpour yet without his calm mastery. In fact, as Nigerians joked online, when a journalist begins to overdo himself, he quickly turns into the Temu version of Larry King — flashy on the surface, but lacking the quality and class of the real deal.‎‎No, it is neither fair nor ethical for a journalist to bring personal grudges into an interview. Journalism thrives on balance, not bias. Personal dislike clouds judgment and corrupts inquiry. An interviewer who begins with a preconceived disdain for the guest cannot claim objectivity. Such bias manifests in loaded questions, dismissive gestures, and a persecutorial tone — all of which we saw in Rufai Oseni’s exchange with Senator Umahi.‎‎Professional journalism must be guided by respect. Even when holding leaders accountable, there must be decorum. Guests should not be ambushed or insulted under the pretext of “hard talk.” Instead, journalists should focus on the topic, prepare intelligently, and maintain a tone that encourages conversation, not confrontation. The job is to elicit truth, not to score cheap applause or trend online for the wrong reasons.‎‎Senator David Umahi, on his part, remains one of Nigeria’s most accomplished public servants. His record in governance speaks volumes. As Governor of Ebonyi State, he transformed one of Nigeria’s least developed states into a model of infrastructure and urban renewal. His pioneering use of concrete technology for road construction revolutionized state projects and set new standards of durability. Bridges, flyovers, modern city designs — these became the new face of Ebonyi under his leadership.‎‎As Minister of Works, Umahi has continued this legacy. He has insisted on engineering integrity, introducing reforms that prioritize quality over quantity, and transparency over political contracts. He has brought field-based supervision to the ministry, personally inspecting projects nationwide. His insistence on concrete roads, which last longer and save cost in the long term, has redefined Nigeria’s construction standards. To confront such a man with arrogance and condescension on live television is not just disrespectful — it is unjust.‎‎Public office does not strip one of humanity. Senator Umahi, like any citizen, deserves to be heard without being harassed. A journalist’s duty is to question, not to quarrel. When questioning degenerates into showmanship, professionalism dies. The consequences are evident: loss of credibility, public outrage, and damaged reputation for the media organization. Indeed, the fallout from this interview has been embarrassing not for Umahi, but for Arise Television itself. Nigerians saw through the gimmick — the unprofessionalism, the ego, and the lack of respect — and they were not amused. The joke, as always, is on the anchor, not the guest.‎‎Journalism, like every other noble profession, demands continuous learning and refinement. Anchors such as Rufai Oseni — and indeed the management of Arise Television — must enroll in executive courses in public relations and media ethics. They must learn how to manage guests with subtlety, not hostility; with inquiry, not intimidation. They must tone down the combative posturing and remember that broadcasting is not a boxing ring.‎‎Nigeria deserves journalists who are brave, not brash; confident, not cocky. We need journalists who can ask hard questions without losing their manners. The country will be better served if the likes of Rufai Oseni understand that professionalism is not measured by how loud one talks or how rudely one interrupts, but by how intelligently one listens.‎‎Yes, you may aspire to be the Nigerian Larry King — but please, let’s not be the Temu version that talks too much and listens too little. Journalism must rise again to its sacred duty: to inform, to illuminate, and to inspire — not to insult.‎‎H.E. Senator David Umahi deserves respect, and Nigerians deserve better journalism.