Why Primate Ayodele Does Not Need to Answer Rufai Oseni

Let me make this as brief and straightforward as possible. It is increasingly difficult for those of us who have spent decades in journalism and watched the profession evolve to ignore the apparent decline in civility and decorum that sometimes characterises public discourse in Nigeria today. The responsibility for this situation does not rest entirely with government; society itself, including families, institutions and individuals, must also take responsibility for the standards of behaviour we promote. Against this backdrop, the increasingly confrontational style of television commentary displayed by some broadcasters deserves scrutiny, particularly when disagreements with guests or public figures appear to move beyond robust questioning into personal exchanges. It is in this context that I believe Primate Ayodele would be better served by ignoring Rufai Oseni’s recent comments rather than engaging him in a public war of words.

It must be really hard for those of us who grew up watching hugely accomplished broadcasters, presenters and anchors of the golden era of broadcasting and journalism to sit down and watch the likes of Rufai Oseni desecrate the very tenets and ethics of journalism and broadcasting many of us proudly upheld and upon which we built our flourishing careers in the profession. I can not recall ever watching on television, any of the anchors of yesteryears and even a couple of years ago, turning interviews into something very close to a WWE Royal Rumble match on television. There is hardly an interview with Rufai on ARISE TV that will not degenerate into chaos. Tempers rise, voices screaming above each other and anger reaching boiling point in the studio, all because one spoilt 46 year old unmarried brat has been invested with the power to co-anchor and interview prominent Nigerian personalities on national television.

This man is the only so called journalist I know that openly takes a position on contentious matters. Journalists are never trained to take position on national matters. Ours is to provide a balanced reportage of events, probe matters professionally and anchor talk shows, especially those that are political, as dispassionately as possible. No taking sides. But what does the arrogant and uncouth Rufai Oseni bring to the table? A total lack of professionalism and utter disregard for personalities who agree to come on the programme. He attacks his guests by not only countering their position on the subject matter but also becoming the judge and the jury and declaring the guest guilty in his own court of public opinion. He does not leave it at that. He has a brutal method he deploys every time – he verbally assaults his guests, embarrasses them, belittles them in the glare of the public and leaves them fuming and emotionally drained by the time the curtain is drawn on the show.

Only about a week or so ago, we all watched in awe as this untrained and disrespectful journalist kept shouting down his co-anchor, the highly revered Dr. Reuben Abati, who tried in futility to tutor him on the need to show respect and desist from calling a prominent Nigerian personality, ‘Gbewu dani!’ He insisted he had no apologies for calling the man whatever name he deemed fit for him. Of course, this is not the first time both Rufai and Dr. Abati will be having a shouting match on television. And it is not the first time he will be hurling insults at distinguished personalities.
I would not have taken time off to write this piece if what I saw of Oseni days ago did not happen. I do not know precisely which day the programme was aired, but I only saw a video clip of it. In the short video, Rufai Oseni was seen discussing with one of his female co-anchors who mentioned that Primate Ayodele had a different opinion on a national subject Rufai was talking about and taking a position on. And the ever mannerless and poorly raised Rufai did not disappoint. He immediately remarked by asking, “Who is Primate Ayodele when I am talking? Who is he? Can you let such man of God be your shepherd?” I could only watch in disbelief. Indeed, if his parents are still alive, it is hard to see how they can be proud of the delinquent monster they have raised. No right thinking parent will be delighted to see their son show utter disregard for people the way he does.

I waited to see if Primate Ayodele would dignify Rufai with a response. I prayed that he wouldn’t. And he didn’t. The man did not disappoint me. People like Rufai who delight in making crass remarks about people all in a bid to grand stand and attract the accolades and applause of his Obidient brethren on social media deserve to be ignored by people like Primate Ayodele. He is a father, they can never be mates. And engaging him in a battle of words would only expose him to the ‘Agbero’ brand of journalism Rufai Oseni proudly practices. Rufai does not understand that, while he speaks and analyses national issues physically, Primate Ayodele proffers spiritual perspectives. These are two different things. You may not like the man, but you cannot disregard the fact that Primate Ayodele has made some compelling prophecies that shook the nation when they came to pass. You are a journalist, he is a spiritual leader, your views are not ever likely to be the same with his because you both cannot be viewing a matter via the same lens. And, at any rate, why attempt to speak rudely of a man of God who has neither spoken ill of you nor disrespected you in any manner before? This is a man who has a compendium of over 30,000 fulfilled prophecies under his belt, he has earned his respect and nobody can take that away from him.

Clearly, Rufai is an ambitious young man. Perhaps a little over ambitious for his own good. He wants to ride on the waves of his ARISE TV popularity as quickly as possible and become one of the most influential journalists to come from this side of the continent. This explains his brazen desire to always play to the gallery by mentally dehumanising his guests, revealing his tasteless focus on constantly seeking to take attention away from his guests and have the spotlight beaming on him, the presenter, alone. That is not journalism, that is an intellectual Agbero at work!. Remember his brush with LASTMA officials couple of years ago in which he was captured on video prancing all over the place like the spoilt and mannerless little brat that he is? He was threatening fire and brimstone on the officials even when he had clearly violated the law by driving through a BRT lane! And this is the same man who loves to go up in arms against public officials, demanding to hold them accountable for their actions and inactions.

We hear his boss, Nduka Obaigbena, considers him an asset to the organisation because he helped the numbers to rise, and so, for this reason, Rufai is seldom cautioned for his unprofessional conducts on air. No problem. At the rate he is going, he certainly will soon run into a moving train that will not only crush him professionally but also take the organisation with him as well. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. We are watching.

Adewale Adegoke is an Abuja based journalist.