Senator Adams Oshiomhole has challenged Arise TV anchor, Dr Reuben Abati, to a street fight over what he described as disrespectful and misleading comments made on live television.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate, made the remarks during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Tuesday.
He was reacting to a question Abati asked former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Arise TV’s The Morning Show. Abati had asked Okowa if he “got permission from Oshiomhole” before joining the All Progressives Congress, referring to Okowa’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Oshiomhole said the question was offensive and made it look like he had special powers in the APC.
“I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta State, Okowa, mischievously, I must say, with all due respect, ‘Did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?’” he said.
The former Edo governor added, “How can you ask that? What is my status? I am in the legislature. Is the legislature responsible for the prosecution of anyone wrong in any way?”
Though Oshiomhole didn’t mention Abati’s name directly, it was clear he was referring to the journalist, especially when he brought up Abati’s political past and his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Thereafter, EFCC arrested him. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?” Oshiomhole asked.
He also accused Abati of ignoring his contributions to labour struggles during his time as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Even on Labour Day, he was saying some labour leaders who had been involved in picketing and fought for workers; he could not even credit me with the fact that I led the protest. This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC,” he said.
Instead of acknowledging his efforts, Oshiomhole said Abati mocked those who move from labour activism into politics.
“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” he added.
The senator ended his remarks with a bold challenge.
“If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and you lost an election in Ogun State, is that the reason you are paranoid, that every opportunity you want to abuse me? If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out,” Oshiomhole said.
Abati was the running mate to the late Buruji Kashamu during the 2019 Ogun governorship election under the PDP. They lost to Dapo Abiodun of the APC.
As of the time of filing this report, Abati is yet to respond to Oshiomhole’s comments.
